YOUTHS, both boys and girls, who are
aspiring to begin their journey as cricketers,
are being given an excellent chance to
fulfil their dreams, compliments of the
Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA).
On Thursday, May 19, the SCA launched its development
program at the Ashtonbee playing field which saw 16
participants in attendance, ranging from ages eight to 19
and including three girls.
The program, which started on a smaller scale in 2019,
is being conducted by head coach Keith Deonaraine and
assistant coaches Calvin Alexander and Amjad Khan
and according to SCA President Shiv Persaud, “it gives
us the foundation to scale. It provides a system and
organized structure that will support all participants
regardless of skill level.”
The program will include co-ordinate training, coaching
sessions and provide scheduled games on evenings
during the week or on weekends and Persaud pointed
out that the SCA looks forward to making it a year-round
program that continues indoors during the winter
months.
The development program is also geared towards the
grassroots and providing a pathway for individuals to
get involved in cricket at any level.
In brief remarks at the launching, Persaud said “we are
honoured to have Keith as our head coach. He has a
vast experience in the game at various levels having
represented Canada at the Under 19 level, selector of
the Canadian team, performance analyst and former
Cricket Canada Development Officer.“We believe that as a long-standing league, it is our responsibility to lead the development and promotion of the game at the community and competitive level. We have grown in the competitive side and this initiative will foster growth in youths (boys and girls).”
Deonaraine’s involvement with Canadian cricket has been outstanding. He represented Canada at the Under-19 and Under-23 levels and was the 1992 recipient of the prestigious award as the country’s most outstanding Junior Cricketer. Deonaraine has also served as a Manitoba Development Coach and was directly responsible for introducing cricket to many elementary, middle and high school students within the Province. He has also served (2010-2012) as a Canadian National Men’s Cricket Team Selector and as Cricket Canada’s Performance Analyst (2012- 2016).