Sports

CPL’S CEO SPEAKS ABOUT HIS TEAM THE BARBADOS ROYALS

An Advo Magazine Exclusive by David Harris

Chief Executive Officer of Barbados Royals Jake Lush McCrum has described the team’s participation in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) as “a fantastic journey”.

In July 2021, the Royals Sports Group owners of the Rajasthan Royals Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket franchise acquired a majority stake in the then Barbados Tridents, as a result of the acquisition, the Tridents were rebranded Barbados Royals.

PL ‘ A FANTA“We have seen a fantastic journey for the Barbados Royals in the CPL so far; when we came on board in July 2021, our primary aim was to bring in a culture that reflects the Royals philosophy across all our teams and our focus on excellence both on and off the field. We have seen tremendous success with our women’s team who started with winning the first crown in 2022 and have not looked back since, securing back-to –back championships in the last two years. On the men’s side, we had a strong showing in 2022 when we went all the way up to the final, but last was not as per expectations. What has been satisfying though is the number of Royals players who have gone on to represent the West Indies across all formats. We have the examples of Obed McCoy, Alick Athanaze, and Nyeem Young who came into the system and have developed exceptionally over the past few years. Obed has represented all three of the Royals franchises, Ramon Simmonds has played in the CPL and the SA20 for us, I am confident that there will be many more in the years to come. As much as we are focused on building a sustainable high-performance environment, we are also trying to grow the game through grassroots initiatives like the Barbados Royals Girls Club”, McCrum told Advo Magazine.

He described last season as bittersweet for the Royals with the women’s team under captaincy of Hayley Matthews winning the Women Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) title and the men captained by Rovman Powell performing poorly.

“There were some late departures from our men’s squad that hurt the balance of our team. We did witness some standout performances from the likes of Rakeem Cornwall and Alick, but we lacked consistency as a unit. We are confident that we will turn it around this season as we have been able to secure some really strong additions to the squad. We have continued to develop talent, push boundaries and work towards establishing ourselves as a dominant force in men’s and women CPL cricket”, he explained.

McCrum said the Royals intended to win the men’s CPL title this year: “We are here to win and entertain, and with a second WCPL trophy under our belt, we are aiming to replicate this success in the men’s competition. We have a high-quality and explosive Caribbean core group that has been bolstered by strong overseas additions. It has been great to see how Alick and Nyeem have developed over the last few years, and Ramon is working hard to get back to his best. The Barbados leg of the CPL was great for us, we won three of the four matches played at Kensington Oval. We have stumbled a bit in Guyana, but I am hoping the team will return to its winning ways in the playoffs”.

Late last year the Royals joined Bat for A Chance launched the Barbados Royals Girls Cricket Club initiative encouraging girls between the ages of six to 14 to play cricket, and according to McCrum, grassroots programs are extremely important to his organization.

“At the Royals Sports Group, our purpose is to transform society. Grassroots initiatives are a key pillar for us. The Barbados Royals Girls Cricket Club is something we are extremely proud of because of our commitment to making an on the society with cricket at the centre of change. We are also committed to growing the game, especially for young girls. We want to create pathways for the next generation of cricketers and to make the sport accessible and fun from a young age. Through initiatives like these we hope to inspire more young girls to take up the sports, fostering the next wave of talent not just for the Royals, but for Barbados and the West Indies. It is crucial that we play our part in empowering these girls and giving them opportunities to develop”, the CEO said.

He disclosed that the Royals Sports Group are always looking for ways to deepen their engagement with the local community and to continue their involvement at the grassroots level.

“We are exploring more initiatives that focus on youth development for both girls and boys. We are providing technical expertise for the development of the High-Performance Centre at Kensington Oval which is a great initiative from KOMI toward building a high-performance culture. We are also keen to build on our existing partnerships, such as the one with Bat for a Chance, to deliver meaningful social impact through the sport”, McCrum said.

“On a broader level, we are working closely with our principal sponsor Invest Barbados, and our partner Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI) to ensure that cricket serves as a platform to drive economic and cultural connections globally, bringing more visibility to the island’s opportunity and attracting tourism. With Invest Barbados as our principal sponsor, we are excited to leverage the global reach of the Royals brand to promote Barbados as a prime destination for business and investment”, he added.

McCrum said that cricket has a unique ability to bring people together and through their networks in markets such as India, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates they can create opportunities to showcase the potential of Barbados beyond sports.

“We are committed to being ambassadors for Barbados on the global stage, and if that means facilitating new business ventures or creating connections that benefit the island economically, we are all for it. Our partnership extends beyond cricket, it’s about leveraging the sports to promote Barbados Internationally and create opportunities for the island”, McCrum explained.

He lauded the government and the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) for the support they have given the Royals in the past three years.

“We are incredibly grateful to the government of Barbados and the BCA for the huge amount of support they continue to provide to us. They share our vision of not only making the Royals successful on the field but also contributing to the growth of cricket and the economy in Barbados at every level. Our relationship is based on mutual respect, and are constantly looking at ways we can collaborate for the betterment of the sport and the nation”, McCrum said.

Sports

DEHRING NEW CEO OF CRICKET WEST INDIES

Article by David Harris

Chris Dehring is the new chief executive officer of Cricket West Indies (CWI) the Jamaican was selected from a pool of over 50 applicants representing Europe, Australia, India, Afghanistan, and the Caribbean.

He replaces Johnny Greave who step down from the position in October after seven years.

A successful businessman and entrepreneur, Dehring is the founder of SportsMax, and the co-founder of Jamaica’s first investment bank Dehring, Bunting, and Golding which grew into a financial powerhouse and was eventually acquired by Scotiabank.

His entrepreneurial portfolio includes ReadyTV Jamaica’s first digital broadcast service, and ReadyNet the country’s first satellite internet provider. Dehring also served at Cable & Wireless where he was a member of the Senior Executive Membership Team.

A former chief marketing officer of CWI, Dehring was the managing director and chief executive officer of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup 2007 in the Caribbean.

“West Indies cricket has always held a special place in my heart. As a unifying force and a symbol of pride for our region, I am honoured to return to an organisation that holds great significance to our people. Together with the CWI team and stakeholders, I am committed to driving innovation, fostering talent, and reigniting the passion for West Indies cricket, both at home and globally”. Dehring said.

His tenure begins on February 1, he will be based at CWI headquarters at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.

Meanwhile, Darren Sammy has been named the coach for all senior West Indies men’s teams and will take charge of the Test side from April 1. The former West Indies captain was named the white-ball head coach in May 2023, while Andre Coley took over the reins of the Test side at the same time.

Sports

Black Knight Bikers Celebrate 10 Years of Brotherhood, Adventure, and Community Service

Article by Deanzer Roberts

As part of their 10th-anniversary celebrations, the Black Knight Bikers Club hosted an Awards and Gala Night to honor the achievements of its members and sponsors and to commemorate a decade of camaraderie, resilience, and shared passion for biking.

The event, held at the Coast Guard Base on Saturday November 16^th 2024, brought together club members, supporters, and special guests for an evening of reflection, recognition, and celebration.

President Fabian Reeves, who has served at the helm of the club for the past ten years, opened the night by expressing his pride in how the Black Knight Bikers have evolved from a group of enthusiasts into a family bonded by mutual respect and a commitment to responsible riding. Reflecting on the journey, Reeves remarked, “This club has always been about more than just the rides. It’s about the friendships we’ve built, the lives we’ve touched, and the impact we’ve made together.”

A key highlight of the evening was Reeves’ announcement of a leadership transition. After a decade of dedicated service, he revealed his decision to step back temporarily to focus on his well-being, taking an annual sabbatical. Vice President Kevin “X” Wickham will step into the role of Acting President, with Adrian ‘Ace’ Rock assuming the position of Vice President. The announcement was met with resounding support as members applauded the new leadership team, confident in their ability to guide the club forward.

The Club’s Public Relations Officer, Ms. Deanzer Roberts in delivering the keynote address reflected on the club’s journey from its inception to its current status as a recognized leader in advocacy and community service.

“Our club has grown beyond being just a group of bikers. We are community leaders and advocates for important causes like anti-bullying and breaking stereotypes about bikers. Together, we have created a legacy of service and unity,” said Ms. Roberts during her address.

She also recounted the club’s dedication to causes such as anti-bullying campaigns and breaking stereotypes about bikers.

“We’ve proven that bikers are more than their leather jackets and helmets. We are citizens committed to creating a positive legacy through charity work, advocacy, and mentorship,” said Ms. Roberts

The night also featured an inspiring awards ceremony to recognize members who went above and beyond in contributing to the success of the club. Honorees included:

Dwayne Cumberbatch – Man of Valor for his resilience and mentorship.

Kelian Adonis – Most Influential Biker for offering guidance and mentorship.

Davie Best, Dexter Austin, Donovan Hippolyte – Most Reliable Team Members for their unwavering dedication.

Joni Batson – Most Charitable Member for her selfless support of the club’s charitable efforts.

Deanzer Roberts – Best Journalism Award for promoting the club’s values in the media.
Tamisha Worrell – Outstanding Administrator for ensuring the smooth operation of the club.
Nicola Henry – Most Proficient Member for her creativity and determination.
Maurita Forde – Most Dependable Club Member for her steadfast commitment.
Kevin Wickham – Prestigious Leadership Award for his exceptional dedication to the club.

As the evening came to a close, Reeves raised a toast to the club’s bright future. “Here’s to the road ahead, to new adventures, and to the memories we’ll continue to create together,” he said.

Sports

NO PLAY AND NO CHAMPION

Article by David Harris

The CG United Super50 Cup final between Barbados Pride and Jamaica Scorpions at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, Trinidad, was abandon on Saturday without a ball bowled; after the captains Raymon Reifer (Barbados Pride) and Jon Campbell (Jamaica Scorpions) failed to attend the toss of the coin.

As a result of the unprecedented action by Reifer and Campbell Cricket West Indies (CWI) has decided that there will be no champions for this year’s tournament.

The day/night match was scheduled to start at 1 pm but was delayed for over four hours because of heavy rain and the covers were removed from the pitch after 5 pm. The match officials decided to reduce the to a 20-over-a side game if play started at 6.17 pm.

Both teams were informed that the toss would be held at 6 o’clock, but neither Reifer or Campbell appeared at the toss. Shortly after 6.30, the members of each team began shaking each other’s hands before going into their dressing rooms.

Meanwhile CWI in press release issued on Sunday said they are planning to review the tournament regulations in light of the unprecedented double forfeit.