The Nevis Cricket Academy was officially launched on the afternoon of Wednesday, 27th May, at the Villa Grounds in Charlestown. The initiative is a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Education and Sports et al.
The brief but meaningful ceremony was ably chaired by Senior Sports Officer and former West Indies all-rounder, Carl Tuckett. Representatives from the various primary schools across Nevis received cricket equipment kits, including bats, pads, batting and wicketkeeping gloves, helmets, and protective cups.
The invocation was delivered by Pastor Gene Amory Jr., while the national anthem was beautifully rendered by two students of the Ivor Walters Primary School.
An overview of the Academy was presented by Director of Sports, Aljay Newton, who noted that the programme will serve more than 100 male and female athletes between the ages of 7 and 15. Training will focus not only on developing cricketing skills but also on instilling core values such as discipline, teamwork, respect, and sportsmanship—ultimately building champions in sport and in life.
The initiative aims to remove barriers to participation while equipping teachers and students to grow cricket at the grassroots level. Under the theme “Our Sport, Our Culture,” the Academy reaffirms cricket’s central role in Nevisian identity and establishes a clear pathway from schoolyard play to structured development.
Minister of Sports, the Honourable Troy Liburd, in officially launching the Academy, underscored the significance of cricket to the Nevisian community. He noted that Nevis has already produced no fewer than seven players who have represented the West Indies cricket team. Minister Liburd also presented the school representatives with their cricket kits and indicated that secondary schools will receive similar equipment at a later date.
Leeward Islands all-rounder Colin Kezron Archibald was specially recognised for coordinating the procurement of the equipment from India.
In his remarks, Carl Tuckett expressed his aspiration to see the first female cricketer from Nevis rise through the Academy to represent the West Indies.
A video presentation highlighting activities within the Academy programme was also showcased. The afternoon culminated in a photo session featuring the young cricketers and attending officials.