By Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway
British Virgin Islands Cricket Association Vice President and Royal Knights Wicketkeeper-batsman Richard Francis, is now the association’s president after Neil Hayes stepped down over the weekend. Francis became the association’s 12th president since 1945.
Francis said Hayes, Road Town Wholesale general manager who became president last January, gave the board his reasons for stepping down. Francis told island Sun Sports that Hayes decision to step down is more from a personal and professional perspective.
“It has nothing to do with his inability to lead the board or to help cricket develop further,” Francis said. “It is one of those things where he has given deep consideration and thought to his family and the board, in terms of what he has upcoming. He thought that it was best to step aside and let the board continue. However, he has expressed his full support in the background, to assist in whatever way he can from a professional point of view.”
Going forward, Francis said that he and Hayes shared similar visions and goals of where they want to see BVI cricket and they worked great together as a team and his position hasn’t changed.
“Luckily, the board itself shares the similar vision that Hayes and I shared, so it’s just a matter of building what we have started, more so to see the sport develop from the junior ages to the senior levels,” he said. “One of the visions is to see more cricket played. Last year we had two tournaments and this year we’re looking to have a minimum of three. On top of that, we’re looking at how we can get more of our senior players exposed from a regional standpoint. Also, how we can best develop the sport in terms of youth and women.”
The Round Robin league—with eight confirmed teams—is set to open on Sunday with two T20 games and several players from St. Thomas are on teams. Francis said one of the benefits has been with the recreation of a Combined Virgin Islands team for the Leeward Islands 50 Overs tournament, having them a part of the league is integral for development and the working relationship.
“Though we have accepted that we’re small territories that face similar challenges, having them a part of what we’re doing, includes the possibility of continued partnership to get the sport enhanced, both here and in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” he said. “Doyle Jones, one of the players who plays here, is also president of the St. Thomas Association. His being integral in our league, our board and their board has taken liberty to have those added conversations, in terms of what we can do together to see things develop and improve.”
Sunday’s T20 League opener will see Police vs Vikings at 9:30 a.m. and Cavaliers vs RTW Falcons at 1:30 p.m. Currently, 21 persons began taking an umpiring course in November and Francis said several of the trainees will be getting practical opportunities during the league.
