Kendal Camp brought to life by Scotiabank

KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 19, 2013: Kendal camp in Manchester was abuzz with activity this past week when the Scotiabank/WICB Kiddy Cricket Summer Camp which kicked off on Sunday July 14 and ended with an awards ceremony on Friday July 19th 2013. The camp that was led by Phillip Service, WICB Co-ordinator of the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Programme, saw 55 children boys and girls, ranging from ages eight to thirteen from all over the island and a participant from the Cayman Islands. The children received first hand training and coaching on the game of cricket and with a greater focus on skills based training and additional technical support for schools, Scotiabank's commitment to growing the sport of cricket in the region was evident throughout the weeklong Summer Camp.

The Kiddy Cricket programme was introduced to Jamaica in 2000. Since then Scotiabank has provided training and material to thousands of children in Jamaica and distributed hundreds of teaching manuals and Kiddy Cricket kits to hundreds of schools. As the Official Bank of West Indies Cricket, Scotiabank's support of the WICB helps to promote, develop and celebrate a sport that is an integral part of the Caribbean history, culture and identity, and plays an important role in future development of the region.

This year there were eight categories under which participants could win trophies. Among top achievers in the Summer Camp were: Michaela Boreland of York Town Primary in Clarendon, who won, Best bowler girl and Best fielder girl therefore making her Best all-rounder girl; and Kevon Anniford who won Best All-Rounder Boy; and Most Improved Boy trophy was taken home by Shamoy Bushay.

Speaking at the closing ceremony for the Summer Camp and addressing the participants, Assistant Manager, Business Banking Scotiabank Mandeville, Mrs Janet Billings-Frith said "Scotiabank is really excited about supporting your growth and development in the game of cricket. Doing well in this programme also has positive implications for all other areas of your lives. Through the discipline of and lessons learnt from this sport you will be better students and better citizens. The key is to be rounded; not too focused just on cricket and on winning and not just too narrowly focused on academics."

In underscoring the success of the camp, Phillip Service, WICB Co-ordinator of the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Programme, said "The Sccotiabank/WICB Kiddy Cricket Summer camp 2013 was a resounding success. The participants enjoyed themselves and made significant progress in terms of skill and tactical development as well as unquestionable improvements in social and other personal development attitudes." He further expressed, "Kendal Camp and Conference Center was an ideal venue for residence and the support staff - coaches, camp mother, camp father, guidance counsellor, were all very enthusiastic and professional. The children really enjoyed the presentations made including the motivational talks and practical session involving Stephanie Taylor, WI women player."

In closing Mrs Janet Billings-Frith further expressed "Scotiabank just signed another agreement with the WICB to take it further over the next five years. And we are doing this because of the importance of cricket and the opportunities in it for the region's boys and girls." In addition to the summer camp, this year's 2013 Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket programme includes: a Kiddy Cricket Festival, motivational talks and coaching clinics and matches.

Scotiabank recognizes cricket as an important part of West Indian heritage and aims to promote its longevity. The Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket programme has been in Jamaica since 2001 and is geared towards the exposure of primary school students - both girls and boys between the ages of 7 to 12 - to the sport of cricket, to develop their love of and interest in the game. Kiddy Cricket Coaches will also be focusing on imparting basic cricketing skills, building on the fundamentals of Kwick Cricket, the abridged version of the game used in Kiddy Cricket.

About the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Programme 

Providing equipment to schools and giving children the opportunity to play cricket is just part of our commitment. You will often see our staff on the pitch, sharing their time and expertise, fostering children's knowledge and appreciation for the game. The Kiddy Cricket programme targets boys and girls, ages 7-12. In addition to teaching them how to play the game, Kiddy Cricket helps to foster a love of learning and builds leadership skills. By developing motor skills, arts & crafts abilities, and even math speediness, Kiddy Cricketers become more disciplined and confident - traits that will serve them well later in life.

The Scotiabank-sponsored West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Kiddy Cricket Programme aims to give primary school children an appreciation for the game. In addition, the programme helps to foster a love of learning and builds leadership skills.

The Kiddy Cricket programme targets boys and girls, ages 7-12. In addition to teaching them how to play the game, Kiddy Cricket helps to foster a love of learning and builds leadership skills. By developing motor skills, arts & crafts abilities, and even math speediness, Kiddy Cricketers become more disciplined and confident. Several graduates of the programme have gone on to participate professionally in clubs across the Caribbean.

This year's 2013 Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket programme includes, a Kiddy Cricket Festival, a summer camp, motivational talks and coaching clinics and matches. The Festival focused on the development of fundamental cricket skills in a competitive environment.

The Kiddy Cricket programme was introduced to Jamaica in 2000. Scotiabank has provided training and material to thousands of children in Jamaica and distributed hundreds of teaching manuals and Kiddy Cricket kits to hundreds of schools.