Richland Park Government Kiddy Cricketers to take part in ODI at Arnos Vale

It will be a big moment for the members of the winning team of the 2012 Kiddy Cricket festival – the Richland Park Government School – when they walk out on the middle today during the first One Day International between the West Indies and Australia.{{more}}

The young, emerging cricketing talent qualified for the final played on February 28 before going on to represent in a big way to walk away as champions.

And on Tuesday, March 13, the team was recognized for their outstanding performance in a formal ceremony at the school, during which tokens from the official sponsor were distributed.

Norman Cumberbatch, representing sponsors Scotia Bank, now in its 13th year of sponsorship, pledged the continued support of the company to building young talent.

“We are here to congratulate you on your sportsmanship and skills as well as your passion for the game,” he said.

He encouraged the members of the team to envisage themselves as future West Indies stars as they take to the field.

“You may be a Kiddy cricketer today, but you could be a West Indies cricketer tomorrow,” Cumberbatch said.

Dr Linton Lewis, lawyer, former Windward Island and West Indies Youth Cricketer and featured speaker on the day, spoke of the importance of being disciplined, dedicated, determined and committed.

“Everything has a structure under the sun, and once you follow that structure, then you will be disciplined and you will always do well,” Lewis explained.

The school’s cricketers showed discipline by having faith and did well to win the tournament, he explained.

Dedication and commitment were important qualities in order that students be able to continue to do well.

According to Lewis, playing cricket, music and doing schoolwork all had some things in common, and that students needed to incorporate all the qualities he mentioned.

But there was also one more important factor and that was teamwork.

“No man is an island,” Lewis told the students at the Richland Park Government School.

“In my days you could have been an individual and got by, but the recent trend in education and sport is that you need to be a team player.”

It was by him adhering to such qualities that Lewis said he has been able to be so successful.

“Right now, you, too, can be anything you want. You just have to emulate good people and follow,” he said.(DD)