Bridgetown, Barbados -- Dec. 8, 2009 --  The West Indies Players Association has proposed a 15 point plan aimed at igniting the development of West Indies cricket. The plan was formulated following discussions of the 2009 Captains’ Reports by the WIPA Board at the Board Meeting which was held last week in Barbados.  

The recommendations are:  

• The West Indies First Class season should consist of  two rounds of matches with a minimum of 12 four day games per season played alongside the International Series
  

• There needs to be a clearly defined pathway for the development of the West Indies player – from the various age group levels through to international cricket e.g. Under 15 to Under 19 to First Class cricket and beyond.
  

• It is essential that coaches, managers,  physiotherapists, trainers, umpires, scorers and match officials are  given the proper training and necessary tools required for them to provide better services to the game in the region. Improved incentives for those who contribute to the game in these areas at all levels must also be addressed.
  

• The Governing Body and WIPA should use their best endeavours to encourage players (current and former) to not only coach at the various levels but acquire professional certification.
  

• The Governing Body will be asked to utilize the services of former West Indies players in specialized training camps as well as coaching in the various schools, clubs and communities across the region.
  

• As a matter of policy, and in addition to a coach and manager, a fitness trainer and physiotherapist must be assigned to teams at ALL levels of the game – from schoolboy to Test cricket.
  

• The implementation of the Cricket Academy and its satellite centres is a matter of extreme urgency and WIPA is willing to provide any assistance it can in this regard.
  

• All West Indian and Regional cricket teams must be afforded the opportunity to adequately prepare before any series.
  

• Matches and practice sessions during the first class season should be held at venues that are used for international games or which are of international standards with similar conditions.
  

• Implementation of the use of the same type of cricket balls in regional first class competitions as those used for international cricket must commence immediately.
  

• The appointment of a Director of Cricket by the Governing Body to handle all cricketing matters must be viewed as a one of the immediate priorities by this governing body.
  

• The yearly schedule of all cricket needs to be agreed to well in advance so that players are aware of their commitments and may make their playing/training arrangements.
  

• As players are required to fulfil their fitness requirements for regional and international duties, this will require the availability of a properly structured training program that meets the individual’s needs, access to adequate training facilities including a suitable gym and routine access to trainers.
  

• Players at all levels are responsible for their personal development and they will be encouraged to do all that is possible to reach their fullest potential in the environment that exists.
  

• As part of its on-going action plan, the WIPA  Board  approved a team of professionally qualified experts to look at the developmental aspect of cricket throughout the region which includes but is not limited to educational training, nutrition, technical skill, human resource and fitness . This committee’s mandate will also be to carry out an audit of the current structure of cricket as well as the development programmes that currently exist in each territory and consult with the Territorial Boards and other key stakeholders, after which it will be asked to make recommendations on the best way forward consistent with international standards and best practices.
  

The proposed members of this committee have been contacted and are expected to be announced shortly once they have accepted to serve with clearly defined terms of reference.   

The WIPA Board – which comprises Dinanath Ramnarine, Wavell Hinds, Jimmy Adams, Daren Ganga and Ian Bradshaw – was presented with several reports including financial details of all its activities that have been undertaken in 2009 including the WICB/WIPA issues.  

The events considered included the Balls of Fire Charity Match, WIPA in the Community Development Programme and the WIPA 20/20 Club Champions League tournament.  

Reports on the mediation that took place in July/August and the early part of September 2009 between WIPA and WICB, the New York Agreement made between WICB and WIPA and the upcoming Special Arbitration regarding “team rights” and the India 2009 home series were received for review and WIPA’s draft Strategic Plan was discussed.  

The Board also welcomed the appointment of Mr. Larry Romany as Chief Operations Officer to WIPA and looks forward to his input into the Association.