CASTRIES, St Lucia, (CMC) - Carol Whilby-Maxwell, president of the West Indies Women’s Cricket Federation (WIWCF), is saddened that all her organisation’s achievements have come without a major sponsor.
“We still have not been able to convince anyone that we are worth our salt,” Whilby-Maxwell said.
“I must thank the West Indies Cricket Board however, other organisations, companies, individuals and the media who supported us over the years.
We believe that at this point in our development, there needs to be a major sponsor associated with us.”
Her comments came during a ceremony recently to honour the four St Lucian members of the West Indies women’s team -- Nadine George, Verena Felicien, Phillipa Thomas and Doris Francis -- just back from a seven-week Asian tour that included matches in India and Pakistan.
“Since the formation of the Caribbean Women’s Cricket Federation in 1974, it has struggled to break down many barriers in its quest for equality in a somewhat male-dominated environment,” Whilby-Maxwell stressed.
She added: “This was not always easy as there are still persons who think that women should not be playing cricket.”
The WIWCF chief was upbeat about its five-year strategic plan started two years ago. The plan included the elevation to world-class status of the West Indies women’s team, to secure a place in the IWCC World Cup South Africa 2005, the implementation of a West Indies youth championship and youth team, and to increase the membership of the WIWCF.
The plan was given momentum when the WIWCF hosted the Lancashire women’s cricket team from Britain and won the series 5-0. But a planned tour of Pakistan and Sri Lanka was called off two years ago due to terrorist activity in that region.
Last year, the WIWCF hosted the Sri Lanka team. Although losing to the visitors, Whilby-Maxwell said the experience was invaluable bearing in mind their preparation for the International Women’s Cricket Council’s qualifying competition in the Netherlands last year.
“We achieved that by losing only to Ireland, who was the eventual winner of the competition,” she said.
“This performance qualified us for participation in the next IWCC World Cup in South Africa next year.”
Whilby-Maxwell noted that during all this they were able to continue their annual competitions they and staged a West Indies youth competition from which a team was selected.
She boasted they were also able to increase membership from five to seven and indicated that Barbados, one of the earlier affiliates of the WIWCF, has indicated an interest to return this year.
Additionally, Antigua & Barbuda and the United States Virgin Islands have also shown interest.
She felt now that the objective of getting back to World Cup status has been achieved. Most of their finances and energies must be placed on the continued training of the players.
“Intellectually and otherwise, so that the momentum gained thus far will not be eroded, but enhanced,” she said.
“This will enable them to perform at an even higher level, when they take part in the 2005 World Cup.”
Speaking on the recent series in India and Pakistan, she felt that despite losing to India they gained more experience coping with their type of bowling attack which reflected in their series victory over into Pakistan.
She revealed that the WIWCF was exploring the possibility of inviting an international team to the Caribbean later this year.