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ST GEORGE’S, Grenada — Former West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman Junior Murray is preparing to launch a cricket academy in Grenada.
Murray, who played for Grenada, Windward Islands and West Indies, is spearheading a series of initiatives under the Junior Murray Brand, including an academy, according to Made In Grenada, the strategic partner responsible for the overall management of the brand and its associated activities.
The cricket academy will serve young Grenadians between the ages of 5 and 15 and is geared toward the development of the game locally through the services and expertise of one of Grenada’s most celebrated heroes.
“Since Saturday November 23, introductory and registration sessions have begun at the Roy St John Playing Field and will continue every Saturday until the end of this school term. The Academy resumes in the new school term and Teachers and Parents are encouraged to ensure the attendance of those young ones interested in learning the game or improving their skills,” according to a statement from Made In Grenada.
“The realisation of a dream, with the chance to give back to the game that has given me so much,” said Murray.
Additionally, Murray will be handing over cricket gear to the Clozier Development Committee in response to a request for assistance for the two cricket teams which represent the village in competitions in St John and St Andrew.
The hand-over will take place on December 17 during the village’s annual Christmas tree lighting festivities.
Preparations have also started for the staging of the first annual Junior Murray/Made In Grenada Celebrity Cricket match on February 9, 2014, at Progress Park in St Andrew.
The inaugural match will form part of the festivities to celebrate Grenada’s 40th anniversary of independence.
The match will feature local personalities from the sporting and entertainment fraternities along with regional and international cricket friends of Murray.
Grenada’s first-ever Test cricketer, who recently played club cricket in New York and was featured, in October, in the Michael Holding Masters tournament in Jamaica, is embarking on a renewed agenda to capitalise on the Junior Murray Brand to aid in the development and promotion of the game of cricket in Grenada.
Murray played in 33 Tests and 55 One-Day Internationals for the West Indies, where he scored more than 1,500 runs in both versions of the game. He also had 99 catches in his Test playing career and scored close to 6,830 runs in First Class competitions.
He excelled at both football and cricket and represented Grenada and the Windward Islands. He made his first class debut in the 1986 season and played until 2006/07. In 148 first class matches, he scored 6,813 runs at an average of 31.1 with a best of 218 against Guyana in Grenada.