Digicel funds fielding coach for Windies, England tour

08.June.07

Digicel, proud sponsors of West Indies cricket, is financing the cost of an experienced fielding coach to join the West Indies cricket team on a full time basis for the current England tour. Former baseball player and cricketer, Julian Fountain will now join sport psychologist David Scott as part of additional support for the Windies team funded by Digicel at the request of the team management and coaching staff.{{more}}

Julian Fountain is a strong advocate for cricketers benefiting from using baseball fielding and throwing techniques and was a member of the Great Britain baseball team who narrowly failed to qualify for the Atlanta Olympics. Previous coaching experience includes working with Pakistan, ECB Academy and England’s Women cricket team, as well as coaching baseball in the United States.

“Good fielding is essential in the modern game and will be made a top priority by Julian Fountain” said Windies team manager Michael Findlay. “We are confident that a specialist fielding coach can make a huge difference to our fielding, as a whole, and as individuals. We are grateful once again to Digicel for their support and look forward to showing the benefits on the field”.

According to Ben Atherton, Digicel Group Marketing and Sponsorship Director: “Just before the England tour Digicel had the opportunity to sit down with the coaching and management team and discuss areas where we could offer additional support and resources. We are happy to follow their requests and provide support in such tangible ways as funding additional coaching staff. We wish Julian and David every success during their tenure with the Windies team.”

“At top level cricket, fielding well makes or breaks a team” said newly appointed Windies Fielding coach Julian Fountain. “I am teaching the players to field and throw the ball accurately and powerfully. It takes time to develop the skills but the results are worth it.

“In men’s professional cricket, unlike professional baseball, fielding hasn’t been looked at as a skill but as something you just did and could either do or couldn’t. It’s only in the last two years that they’ve realised that players need coaching. In baseball fielding is a graceful pick up and throw using all the muscles of the body” added Julian Fountain.

Previously Digicel also sponsored the addition of a fitness and conditioning coach to the West Indies cricket team in 2005-6. The mobile telecom sponsor continues to work with the coaching staff and players in exploring additional benefits and initiatives to help support improved performances.