Youth Minister, UNC Youth launches Development Program for Cricketers

On Saturday Minister of Gender , Youth and Child Development Honourable Clifton De Coteau presented over $5,000 worth of equipment to the Members of the St. Mary’s Superstars Cricket Team and members of the St.Marys Community. The Minister who has responsibility for Youth Development was launching and facilitating the “Support Youth in Sport Program” jointly implemented by the UNC Youth Arm and Cricket for Life Foundation.

The Program is geared to support Young Crickters in their efforts to reach the heights of their careers providing necessary equipment, sponsorship and life skill development. Minister De Coteau who is a former educator and sportsman has always shared a vision for Youth and sports and will be seeking to work with young people to ensure their further development.

As Minister in charge of Youth he has been trying to ensure a plan, place and purpose for all youth of this nation.The Government and Minister are committed to principles and practices of youth development defined as the ongoing growth process in which all youth are engaged in attempting to (1) meet their basic personal and social needs to be safe , feel cared for be valued , be useful feel cared for and build the skills and competencies that allow them to function and contribute in their daily lives.

The UNC Youth Arm and the Cricket for Life Foundation first launched its support programs for teams and young sportsmen back in 2013 when it assisted and worked with the Cane Farm Cricket Club and a number of teams to assist with equipment and life skill development however now with the Minister’s support and drive the program will seek to be expanded and fulfil the agenda of sustainable national youth development.

“There is so much uncertainty in cricket. One day you can get a hundred, the next day you can be dismissed for a zero. It makes you become practical about things. Teaches you to accept both success and failure. I think I have learnt a lot about life from cricket.” Kumar Sangakkara Former Sri Lankan Captain.

There is a widely held and quite erroneously held belief that cricket is just another game, but its not simply a game its a part of life. Cricket has been and will always be an aspect that brings people together, that builds a community.