|
The Barbados Cricket Association was established in 1933 by
an Act of Parliament. The precursor to this Association was
the Barbados Cricket Challenge Cup Committee which was
formed in 1892 creating for the first time a set of rules
organizing cricket in
Barbados.
Prior to this, however, as far back as 1865 inter-colonial
cricket matches had been organized and in the ensuing years
teams from British Guiana ,
neighbouring islands and the
United States
visited Barbados
to engage local teams in cricket.
This was probably the beginning of the Sports/Tourism
concept.
In 1891 a tri-nation tournament was played between teams
from
Barbados ,
Trinidad and British Guiana and
this is what ultimately led to the formation of the Barbados
Cricket Challenge Cup Committee.
Of the seven (7) teams which participate in the inaugural
season in 1892, four (4) are still competing today – Lodge,
Harrison
College , Pickwick and Wanderers.
From this small beginning the cricket fraternity has grown
to such an extent that there are now 128 teams representing
82 Clubs participating in the BCA’s Competitions.
Cricket in
Barbados has
grown beyond being a mere past-time and those who excel can
look forward to substantial rewards. A career in cricket is
now an option which did not exist before and great
opportunities have been opened for above-average players.
The traditional domestic season now begins in May and
concludes in December, the regional first-class season runs
from January to March and the international season begins in
March and now extends through June. There is no longer a
“cricket season” as we knew it before.
The Barbados Cricket Association organizes cricket from the
level of Under-13 Juniors to Test matches which it
coordinates on behalf of the West Indies Cricket Board.
From its earliest days
Barbados
has been renowned for the quality and calibre of its
cricketers and names like Challenor, Martindale, Weekes,
Sobers, Hall are by-words wherever cricket is discussed.
Our teams have been dominant in regional cricket having won
the regional championship on more than one occasion than any
other country and this same prowess has been transferred
into the
West Indies team.
Barbados’ reputation for excellence in cricket and as a cricketing
destination annually attracts many visiting teams to our
shores.
Test matches, especially against
England and
Australia bring
several thousand visitors to
Barbados.
|
