2008 Americas Development Awards

A record number of nominations (103) were received for the eight regional 2008 Development Awards.

Martin Vieira, Regional Development Manager commented, "It is great to see the interest generated among our member countries by the number of nominations received. While the focus will be on the winners I congratulate all individuals and events nominated. They represent the heart and soul of our development programme and without their support we would not enjoy the success we have achieved."

Bermuda lead the way with three awards, Chile captured two with Argentina, Canada and USA getting one each.

Best Overall Development Programme went to the Bermuda Cricket Board for the second consecutive year.

Chile captured the "Best Cricket Promotion and Marketing Programme" with their Beach Cricket Festival. Stiff competition in this category came from Bermuda and Canada (CIMA).

The North West Cricket League (USA) won the "Best Women's Cricket Initiative" award for establishing a league designed for women players consisting of four to six teams. This initiative combined with the activity in the New York area will ensure the USA fields a National Squad for the Americas Championship.

Bermuda won their second award for the "Best Junior Cricket Initiative". The BCB has established a well run formal structured program ranging form U6/8 to the U19 National Team. Competition in this category came from the USA (NYC, PSAL Program), Argentina (Winter League) and Mexico (Schools Initiative).

The "Photo of the Year" category attracted the most nominations and judging was very difficult. Argentina's submission "Hang in there" best described the commitment needed in the development of players. Bermuda's "Padding Up" and Mexico's Schools Children were the main competition.

Bermuda's "No Child Goes Without" captured the "Best Spirit of Cricket Initiative" bringing their total to three awards for 2008.

Both the Volunteer and the Lifetime Service Awards attracted a high quality of nominations and it took the judges several sessions before deciding on the winners.

"Volunteer of the Year" went to Chile's Patricio Caamano who edged out Argentina's Rob Prata and Costa Rica's William Lewin.

The Lifetime Service Award proved to be the toughest of all categories with several excellent nominations. In the end Canada's Austin Ward received the most votes with Bermuda's Reginal Pearman and Brazil's David Gilman following in that order.

Regional Development Manger, Martin Vieira stated, "I congratulate all who were nominated and wish the winners good luck in the Global judging. I was particularly pleased with the number of nominations, the quality of the events and individuals, and a special mention of the very professional format of nominations submitted by the Bermuda Cricket Board."

2008 ICC Americas - Development Awards