BCB Player Update - Glenn Blakeney

November 24, 2008

BCB Player Update

The BCB is pleased to announce that Mr. Glenn Blakeney is the latest player to join the BCB's High Performance Programme (HPP). This programme contracts players full-time to the BCB so that they can concentrate fully on preparing for the elite cricket level. The BCB launched the HPP in April 2008 to intensify training for a targeted group of younger emerging players to prepare for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa, April, 2009.

Glenn will join Irving Romaine, Rodney Trott, Tamauri Tucker, Kyle Hodsoll, Oronde Bascome and Christopher Douglas who have recently returned from a seven-week start at the Cricket Academy in Brisbane, Australia.

The players are required to follow a detailed training programme which includes working in the nets, class room sessions, target bowling, fielding drills, batting drills, playing spin and video sessions. In addition, the players have daily gym sessions where they are required to follow a specifically designed fitness programme. The group has been set fitness targets and goals, which must be reached and maintained. Psychological testing is provided and players are drug tested regularly. Part of the programme is to give back to the community and the players will assist with coaching cricket in the schools, in the Youth Leagues and in the BCB Summer Camps.

Back in April, ICC High Performance Manager, Mr. Richard Done endorsed the programme, stating: "Its good news to see the BCB putting resources into developing players for the future. The success of all the top Associate countries depends on making the most of their available talent as we head into the next ICC Cricket World Cup. Targeting the best players for more intensive coaching at the same time as providing them with an opportunity to earn an income by putting back into junior development is a smart way of using BCB resources. Programmes like this can only lead to better standards for the Bermuda Team."

National Coach, Gus Logie stated, "I am pleased to welcome Glenn to the HPP. Glenn has worked hard over the past couple of months and has continued to show great commitment in training. The preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers is intense with tours organised as follows: the Americas Championship in Florida, November 23 - December 1; Argentina 'A' team Tour, December 10 - 21 and Trinidad and St. Lucia in the new year."

President of the BCB, Mr. Pearman stated, "The players in the programme have shown a high level of commitment and we are very pleased with their progress to date. With the number of countries able to qualify for the World Cup reduced from 6 to 4, the National squad has a tougher task to qualify. It is therefore extremely important that players have the opportunity to focus on cricket full time. As I have stated before, the ICC has continued to increase the number of fixtures that countries in its High Performance Programme are obligated to compete in. The Board recognise the need to move to semi-professionalise our players in order to compete at the highest level. The HPP is step forward in the right direction."

	November 24, 2008 BCB Player Update The BCB is pleased to announce that Mr. Glenn Blakeney is the latest player to join the BCB's High Performance Programme (HPP). This programme contracts players full-time to the BCB so that they can concentrate fully on preparing for the elite cricket level. The BCB launched the HPP in April 2008 to intensify training for a targeted group of younger emerging players to prepare for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa, April, 2009. Glenn will join Irving Romaine, Rodney Trott, Tamauri Tucker, Kyle Hodsoll, Oronde Bascome and Christopher Douglas who have recently returned from a seven-week start at the Cricket Academy in Brisbane, Australia. The players are required to follow a detailed training programme which includes working in the nets, class room sessions, target bowling, fielding drills, batting drills, playing spin and video sessions. In addition, the players have daily gym sessions where they are required to follow a specifically designed fitness programme. The group has been set fitness targets and goals, which must be reached and maintained. Psychological testing is provided and players are drug tested regularly. Part of the programme is to give back to the community and the players will assist with coaching cricket in the schools, in the Youth Leagues and in the BCB Summer Camps. Back in April, ICC High Performance Manager, Mr. Richard Done endorsed the programme, stating: "Its good news to see the BCB putting resources into developing players for the future. The success of all the top Associate countries depends on making the most of their available talent as we head into the next ICC Cricket World Cup. Targeting the best players for more intensive coaching at the same time as providing them with an opportunity to earn an income by putting back into junior development is a smart way of using BCB resources. Programmes like this can only lead to better standards for the Bermuda Team." National Coach, Gus Logie stated, "I am pleased to welcome Glenn to the HPP. Glenn has worked hard over the past couple of months and has continued to show great commitment in training. The preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers is intense with tours organised as follows: the Americas Championship in Florida, November 23 - December 1; Argentina 'A' team Tour, December 10 - 21 and Trinidad and St. Lucia in the new year." President of the BCB, Mr. Pearman stated, "The players in the programme have shown a high level of commitment and we are very pleased with their progress to date. With the number of countries able to qualify for the World Cup reduced from 6 to 4, the National squad has a tougher task to qualify. It is therefore extremely important that players have the opportunity to focus on cricket full time. As I have stated before, the ICC has continued to increase the number of fixtures that countries in its High Performance Programme are obligated to compete in. The Board recognise the need to move to semi-professionalise our players in order to compete at the highest level. The HPP is step forward in the right direction."