“What is being done to develop the next generation of athletes?”
This is a question raised by many observers, both within and outside of sporting circles. To find the answer, one may simply need to take a trip to Babonneau on a given weekend and witness what coach Jervaughn Charles and the Babonneau Rising Stars Cricket Academy are building in their community.
Charles, a cricket enthusiast and teacher by profession, has merged his passion for the sport with his commitment to youth development to create safe spaces where aspiring athletes can sharpen their skills. As part of those efforts, the academy, in collaboration with the Babonneau Cricket Committee, launched an Under-21 cricket tournament this year.
Explaining the rationale behind this initiative, Charles emphasised that the holistic development of players remains a top priority. He also highlighted that tournaments provide a valuable platform for young athletes to display their talents in a competitive setting.
“This tournament was orchestrated to give players avenues to build leadership, match-scenario awareness, team motivation skills, and, most importantly, soft skills. Some cricketers find it hard to break through to the senior side after leaving the Under-19 level, especially when the senior setup doesn’t have space readily available,” he said.
“This tournament gives them the chance to improve their skills while also being recognised by the district selection committee. More importantly, cricketers remain actively engaged in the sport instead of simply waiting for opportunities.”
The young teams are not left to operate on their own. Key support personnel, many of whom are volunteers, offer psychosocial and logistical support to each squad – something Charles believes is essential to the athletes’ development.
“Each of the three teams has a manager and an administrative staff who assist in team building, player selection and logistics, while also providing emotional support.
Additionally, players and captains receive valuable feedback from coaches. At the Babonneau Rising Stars Cricket Academy, we also partner with the Babonneau Youth and Sports Committee to engage athletes in career development workshops, ensuring their lives outside cricket are just as fulfilling.”
From matchday assistance to volunteer coordination and sponsorship support, the players thrive when they know their parents and community are firmly behind them. It takes a village to build an athlete.
