New push training track attracting athletes to bobsleigh – Thomas
Emerging Squad crucial to development
Director of cricket, Jimmy Adams, believes the West Indies Emerging Players squad’s inclusion in the Regional Super50 is a crucial development initiative.
The former West Indies captain said the move provided young players the avenue to express themselves at a competitive domestic level, which served to further enhance their skills.
“A young player may miss out on selection at their franchise if they are up against two or three internationals with similar skill sets,” said Adams.
“The Emerging Players squad aims to provide the platform for these players to perform and reward the hard work they have been putting in following their stints at the West Indies High Performance Centre.”
The squad comprises the likes of exciting Barbadian all-rounder Justin Greaves, dashing stroke-maker Kimani Melius, and promising fast bowler Jermaine Levy.
Wayne Thomas, coach of the Jamaica’s Bobsleigh team, says the recent instalment of new push training portable track at the GC Foster College will certainly enhance the growth and development of the sport locally.
The sled and track was brought into the island recently by the Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation at combined cost of CAD$100,000(J$10.9 million).
Thomas told STAR Sports that this a major boost for the development of the sport because Jamaican athletes will now be better prepared for international competitions.
“I think it is well-needed addition to our training facility because normally we will just be able to do strength and speed work before leaving for overseas to pushing,” said Thomas.
“However, now we are able to do pushing in Jamaica and focus on our starts here.”
He continued: ”It will also enhance our
Leg-spinning Trinidadian all-rounder Yannic Cariah will lead the side with Melius as his deputy, a move which chief selector Roger Harper said was based on experience.
“Yannic Cariah is recommended as captain because his experience better positions him to lead and help guide this young team,” Harper explained.
“Kimani Melius is recommended as vice-captain for succession planning purposes. He is the West Indies Under-19 captain and the intention for the exposure is to give him a greater opportunity for learning and growth.”
Floyd Reifer, who up until last month served as head coach of the West Indies side, will take over the helm of the unit, and said he would be looking for improvement in every department.
“[The main goal] would be seeing development of the players, seeing steady improvement as we make our way through the tournament,” he pointed out. development greatly because normally we would be way behind on start technique, but now we can work on our technique here at home before we get into the race situation.”
The veteran coach pointed out that the level of participation in the sport have grown significantly since the arrival of the sled and track and he is expecting the country to benefit a lot on the international circuit.
“Back in the days, we were one of the top push starting teams in the world but we have fell off but we can get back right up there,” Thomas said.
“Everybody is very enthusiastic about it because nobody wants to go to the gym or run again,” he said.
“Everybody wants to come and do push training, which is a big plus for us. It will also help us to recruit people and so people can come and get a push on the actual sled and it will spark more interest in the sport also,” Thomas said.