ICC Development Conference and Nairobi, Kenya
The ICC global development team gathered for a week-long conference in Nairobi from 22-26 September. The gathering included Andrew Eade (ICC Global Development Manager), Bob Woolmer (High Performance Manager), all 5 Regional Development Managers, Development Officers and central office Project Officers. The annual conferences allow the global team to evaluate the impact of the Development Program over the past year and to plan for the future to ensure that the key objectives of the ICC's development plan are advanced. The conference addressed a number of ongoing projects and issues including:
Overview of progress made against strategic objectives in the past 12 months
Financial overview
Tournaments - WCQS, schedules and funding
Presentation on Kenyan cricket by Tom Tikolo
Training and accreditation
Resources Guide and Administration Manual
High Performance Program update
Spirit of cricket , Annual Awards and ICC CD Rom update
Research project and member country audits
Individual regional presentation on a wide range of topics relevant to each region
Noteworthy were the contributions made by Temba Mkhosana (on secondment from Zimbabwe) including the completion of the ICC administration manual, club strengthening guidelines and the ICC resources section on the website. Jenny Fairlamb (ICC Projects Officer) highlighted the annual awards scheme and called on all regions to submit nominations to their respective regional offices. Chris Briers (ICC Development Operations Manager) presented on the ICC research and member audits, highlighting the importance of individual countries completing, by the deadline of 28 November, the surveys that had been sent out.
On the Wednesday afternoon, more than 80 children, along with teachers, from schools within the Nairobi province, gathered at the Parklands Sports Club to receive coaching and advice from the visiting development staff. The session, led by Tom Tikolo, revealed an abundance of talent together with an infectious enthusiasm for the game. The experience left the development team in no doubt that Kenyan cricket is indeed well placed to prosper, with so many naturally talented youngsters with a clear passion and desire to succeed in the game.
Delegates departed gradually following the conclusion of the conference, with some, before departing, taking in a tour of the city, a local game drive or an overnight stay in the Masai Mara. Whatever the chosen option, all will have left Kenya with an increased awareness of the challenges faced by each region but also of the significant impact the global Development Program has made, and will continue to make, across the diverse range of member countries (now 89) since its inception in 1997.