TTCB – News

Hiliare to speak on WICB Draft Strategic Plan
May 24, 2011

LEADING cricket administrator Dr Allen Sammy believes that wholesale changes in the administration of West Indies cricket administration will be counterproductive to the revival of the region’s fortunes at the Test and One-Day International level.

Dr Sammy, one of two Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (T&TCB) representatives on the WICB Board of Directors believes that the major stakeholders in Caribbean cricket are not so much more focused on organisational effectiveness as they are in matters affecting the regional team’s climb back to the top.

“The West Indies Cricket Board has been roundly criticized when the regional team underperforms and some glibly call for the removal of Board members at every turn. However what is needed is an effective link between the WICB and the territorial boards to pursue their plans and policies,” said Dr Sammy.

He said this “link” is a key factor in the future success of the WI team and the local regional administrators will be asked to buy into the way forward as espoused in the draft document titled a “Framework for WICB Strategic Plan 2011 to 2016.”

Dr Sammy was speaking ahead of a visit to Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday (May 25, 2011)by Ernest Hiliare, the Chief Executive Officer of the WICB who is making a swing through the Caribbean addressing local cricket officials on key elements of the Draft.

Hiliare will speak to officials of the T&TCB, representatives of the National League clubs, Women’s Cricket Association, officials of the Primary and Secondary schools leagues, Tobago clubs and the Umpires and Scorers association from 5.30 pm at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva.

Dr Sammy revealed that last year, the WICB Directors contracted Deloitte, an international consulting firm to undertake a review of all the previous strategic plans which addressed all issues confronting the regional game.

Deloitte also visited the six major cricket playing nations in the region as well as several other associate members gathering data before submitting the Draft Strategic Plan 2011-2016 for discussion in the individual territories.

“The next step is to generate discussion among the major stakeholders and this is what Mr Hiliare has embarked upon. He has already visited a couple islands including Barbados and Dominica and will be coming here to talk to the document and get a feedback,” said Dr Sammy.

He said the WICB Directors already had a chance to have their say on the Draft at their last meeting in April and following Hiliare’s sojourn throughout the region, the document will go back to the WICB Board later this year for final discussion and adoption.

According to the Draft, the Strategic Plan is grounded in the WICB’s Vision Statement, Mission and Core Values which has been reviewed because of the changing landscape of international cricket and its effect on the organisation of cricket in the Caribbean.

The Core Values comprise integrity, respect, teamwork, diversity, accountability and innovation. The Mission is to manage, develop and promote crcket to the benefit and enjoyment of the West Indian people and ensure success at the international level.

And the Vision is to establish the WICB as an efficient and effective governing body; to provide successful and entertaining WI teams; to establish the WICB as a commercially viable organisation; and to establish cricket as a sport of choice.

“We will establish the WICB as a world class governing body delivering high quality cricket, ensuring always that West Indian nationhood is safeguarded,” the Draft document states. “We will create an environment where every child will want to play cricket and to represent the West Indies. The WI brand will be the most sought after in the cricketing world and the performance of our teams will forever be our greatest source of pride and joy”.

The document lists as broad strategic areas to be pursued: Cricket Matters involving school, club and team structure; Organisational Effectiveness including corporate governance, territorial boards; External Relationships and Commercialisation.