The Windward Islands Cricket Board is the ruling body for cricket in the following West Indian islands: Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica.[4][5] Although Dominica is geographically part of the Leeward Islands, as it was part of the Windward Islands colony from 1940 until its independence, its cricket federation remains a part of the Windward Islands.[6]
| Sport | Cricket |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | National |
| Abbreviation | WICB |
| Affiliation | Cricket West Indies |
| Headquarters | Arnos Vale |
| Location | St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
| President | Dwain Gill |
| Vice president(s) | Clement Marcellin |
| Secretary | Kezron Walters |
| Men's coach | Kenroy Peters[1] |
| Women's coach | Samantha Lynch[2] |
| Sponsor | WINLOTT Inc.[3] |
| Official website | |
| www | |
History and formation
editThe Windward Islands Cricket Board was established in the 1980s to unify and coordinate cricket activities across the islands.[7] Initially, cricket in the Windward Islands was managed independently by the individual islands, but as the sport grew in popularity, the need for a centralised body became apparent. The WICB was officially formed to streamline operations, facilitate inter-island competitions, and ensure representation in regional and international cricket .
Structure and governance
editThe Windward Islands Cricket Board is composed of representatives from each of the member islands.[8] Each island has its own cricket association that operates under the umbrella of the WICB. The Board's structure includes a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and other executive members who are elected by the member associations.[9] The WICB functions as a part of Cricket West Indies (CWI), which is the governing body for cricket in the West Indies.[10]
The Secretariat of WICB is based in Grenada, while the franchise (Windwards Volcanoes) is based in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The most recent elections for the Board were held in May 2023, resulting in Mr. Dwain Gill being elected as president and Mr. Clement Marcellin as vice-president.[11] Dr. Kishore Shallow had earlier relinquished the post after he was elected as the president of Cricket West Indies. Dr. Shallow had served as the WICB president from 2019 to 2023.[12]
Role and functions
editThe WICB is responsible for the administration of all cricket-related activities in the Windward Islands.[8] This includes organising domestic competitions, developing cricket infrastructure, managing youth and development programs, and selecting teams for regional and international competitions. The Board also focuses on promoting the sport at the grassroots level to ensure a steady flow of talent for the future.
Domestic competitions
editThe Windward Islands have a vibrant domestic cricket scene with several competitions held annually. The most prominent of these is the Windward Islands Cricket Championship, which features teams from the member islands competing against each other. Additionally, the Board oversees club competitions and various age-group tournaments to nurture young talent.[13]
Youth development
editThe WICB places a strong emphasis on youth development, running numerous programs to identify and train young cricketers. These initiatives include school cricket programs, talent scouting camps, and specialised coaching clinics.[4][14] The Board also collaborates with schools and local communities to promote cricket as a means of personal development and social cohesion.[13]
Achievements and contributions
editThe region has produced several outstanding cricketers who have gone on to represent the West Indies at the international level. Notable players include Devon Smith, Daren Sammy, and Johnson Charles, who have all made substantial contributions to West Indies cricket.[15][16][17]
Windward Islands Constituent Associations
edit- Dominica Cricket Association
- Grenada Cricket Association
- St. Lucia National Cricket Association
- St. Vincent & the Grenadines Cricket Association
Principals of Windward Islands Cricket Board
editList of WICB Presidents
edit| Office holder | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Julian Hunte | |
| Lennox John | |
| Emmanual Nanthan | |
| Dr. Kishore Shallow | 2019-2023 |
| Dwain Gill | 2023-present |
See also
edit- Windward Islands cricket team
- List of Windward Islands first-class cricketers
- List of international cricketers from the Windward Islands
- Dominica national cricket team
- Grenada national cricket team
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines national cricket team
- Saint Lucia national cricket team
- Cricket in the West Indies
References
edit- ^ Webmaster (13 February 2024). "Volcanoes coach wants to leave better system at end of tenure - Searchlight". www.searchlight.vc. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Windward Islands Cricket Board appoints first female selector | Loop Caribbean News". Loop News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Release, Press (9 April 2024). "WINLOTT Raises Sponsorship for Windwards Under-19 Cricket". St Vincent Times. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ a b Webmaster (24 May 2024). "Windwards Cricket Board to push Youth Development Programmes - Searchlight". www.searchlight.vc. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "GROWTH OF WEST INDIES CRICKET THROUGH TERRITORIAL BOARDS | Windies Cricket news". Windies. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "History of Dominica | Events, People, Dates, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Windward Islands player to watch in Regional 4 Day tournament – #5 Narsingh Deonarine | Loop St. Lucia". Loop News. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Garner questions proposed dissolution of WICB". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Admin. "About Us". Windwards Cricket Inc. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "CWI appoints Bascombe as director of cricket for three years". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Gill formalized as Windwards President". thevincentian.com. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Shallow and Bassarath elected to lead Cricket West Indies". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ a b "WICB and Digicel Launch Youth Cricket Development Programme". The St Kitts Nevis Observer. 3 September 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Developing Young Cricketers in the Windward Islands: Time to Provide Opportunities – Spiceislander.com". 3 October 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Daren Sammy Profile - Cricket Player West Indies | Stats, Records, Video". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Devon Smith Profile - Cricket Player West Indies | Stats, Records, Video". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Johnson Charles Profile - Cricket Player West Indies | Stats, Records, Video". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 July 2024.