ICC RDMs relive achievements of 2010, and look forward to 2011
The International Cricket Council (ICC)'s five Regional Development Managers (RDMs) are pleased with the achievements and progress of their respective Regions during 2010. Looking back, the RDMs recounted some of the major activities of the year gone by.
For Richard Holdsworth, the ICC Europe RDM, it was a year to celebrate work both on and off the field.
" Over 100 education courses were delivered in 30 countries which will lead to strong participation growth. Israel also established a participation project with children from both Israel and Palestine which was a highlight. A very successful Regional tournament season was completed and included seven events. In terms of performance ? Scotland reached the final of ICC Intercontinental Cup and Italy was promoted to Pepsi ICC WCL Div 3. Ireland finished 10th at the ICC U19 CWC beating Zimbabwe, qualified for ICC World T20 - nearly beat England - and emerged winners of WCL Division 1," said Holdsworth.
Elsewhere in the Americas, for Martin Vieira there were a number of positive on field results.
"16 of 17 countries competed in regional tournaments. Seven countries took part in Pepsi ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Divisions, with the USA gaining promotion from Division 5 to Division 3. Canada U19 defeated a Full Member team (Zimbabwe) at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. The USA women's national also team won through to the ICC Women's World Cup qualifier (in 2013, Bangladesh). Finally, the process for Suriname's application for ICC Associate membership commenced during the year," said Vieira.
Andrew Faichney, RDM for East-Asia Pacific (EAP) Region, said 2010 was a year to remember.
"We had a number of highlights: PNG building the first turf pitches in EAP and hosting the Cricket Australia Indigenous team, Japan women winning a bronze medal at the Asian Games, Vanuatu performing strongly in Pepsi ICC WCL Div 8 and Indonesia's U17s taking the next step at our Regional tournaments,'' said Faichney.
For Asia the year meant a chance to showcase the sport at a level not seen before felt RDM Bandula Warnapura.
"Successfully conducting the cricket event in the Asian Games 2010, Afghanistan qualifying for the ICC World Twenty20 2010 and two of our teams (Hong Kong & Afghanistan) playing in the ICC U19 CWC in New Zealand were also important activities during the year."
Africa RDM Cassim Suliman believes the year's biggest highlight was off the field. "Introducing the Corporate Governance and Strategic Leadership seminar involving the CEOs and Presidents of the Africa Membership was a highly successful new initiative in 2010," said Suliman.
Looking ahead to 2011, the RDM's outlined an list of planned objectives.
In Europe, Holdsworth hoped to "significantly increase participation across the region, including a rise in the number of people involved in the game as either coaches, umpires, scorers or administrators. A successful performance by Ireland at the ICC CWC 2011 was also a key focus."
"Raising the standard of performance by regional teams at Global events, and enhancing participation, junior competition and development pathways are all at the centre of our attention. Running a successful Americas academy and continuing to improve the number and quality of opportunities for the best players in the region is also important," listed Vieira.
Faichney of EAP too looks to 2011 with hope. "We hope to exceed a 25% increase in participation rates throughout the region, as well as seeing on-field improvement by all our members," concluded Faichney.
Warnapura's list of to-dos for Asia in 2011 was exhaustive.
" Develop a stadium of international standard in Nepal and more grounds with turf wickets in Oman, Qatar, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Myanmar. Significantly increase the number of local/indigenous junior players in Asia's Members. Conduct courses for administration, governance, umpiring, scoring and coaching. Afghanistan to apply for ICC Associate Membership. On field performance is also important with WCL Div. 2 and the ICC U19 CWC Qualifier offering great opportunities for Asian teams," added Warnapura.
Africa's Suliman looked for: "A continuation of the now established focus on growing local participation numbers within all Members, and improving performance of players on the field, and administrators off the field."
