Sonia Davidson (left), vice-president of group corporate communications at Supreme Ventures, hands over her company's sponsorship cheque of $5 million to Courtney Walsh at yesterday's launch of the Supreme Ventures Courtney Walsh Cricket Clinic held at the Acropolis Gaming and Entertainment Centre, Barbican, St. Andrew. - Photo by Anthony Foster

Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

A SUPREME cricket idea was born recently and launched yesterday at Acropolis Gaming and Entertainment Centre in Barbican, St. Andrew.

From the supreme idea, a name - Supreme Ventures Courtney Walsh Cricket Clinic - was formed and will be sponsored to the tune of more than $5.27 million.

The betting and gaming company pumped in $5 million while Victoria Mutual Building Society has joined the venture as associate sponsors and will contribute $273,000. The camp, which will facilitate more than 300 participants, will be held on weekends in all parishes from May to July.

Twenty-four of the best players identified by the Jamaica Cricket Association parish co-ordinators, Under-15 selectors and the Inter-Secondary School Sports Association will be called to an intensive two-day training session.

"These will be residential camps which will focus on the further development of the technical skills, remedial work where necessary, teaching game sense skills, the laws and by-laws of the game and the art of good captaincy. Focus will also be placed on etiquette training and communication," Walsh said at yesterday's launch.

Junior Bennett, Andre Coley, Robert Samuels, Robert Haynes and David Bernard Sr., along with Walsh are some of the coaches identified to work with the youngsters, while Michael Holding and Jimmy Adams, who attended the launch, have also agreed to assist when time allows.

"Each parish coach/coordinator will be given a coach's kit complete with bats, balls, cones and everything that a coach would need to help the youngsters after the programme in their parish is completed," he said.

Brian George, president and CEO of Supreme Ventures, encouraged other companies to come on board and not towait until things start to blossom.

"Get involved now, get involved when it is necessary and put your money where your mouth. We certainly recognise the importance and we are extremely proud as a company to be associated with this venture," George said.