The West Indies Players Association (WIPA) officially opened the first satellite office at Sabina Park, Kingston Jamaica on September 25, 2014. Ms. Rochelle Keane, the Office/Communication Manager, did the official welcome and introduction. President and CEO of the West Indies Players Association, Mr. Wavell Hinds was thrilled with the official opening and stressed its importance to the region. “We are here to grow the product to ensure that our members have different places to access information and the support that they need to grow as individuals” Hinds said. He added “We also have engaged ourselves in partnership with the University of the West Indies, University of Technology, GC Foster College, Mico University and Quality Academics in Memorandums of Understanding so that our members can benefit and matriculate to the highest level possible. Hinds’ was quick to add that the plan will extend throughout the Caribbean with discussions already taking place with The St Augustine Campus in Trinidad and the Cave Hill Campus in Barbados. He stressed the importance of education and made it clear that WIPA will be pulling the stocks to ensure that all the educational opportunities are made available to the members.
Following Mr. Hinds was Mr. Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron, President of the West Indies Cricket Board. Mr. Cameron congratulated WIPA on the initiative and earmarked that it is a step in the right direction, as both parties seek to develop a proper working relationship. Mr. Cameron noted that integral to the process going forward is a good partnership with both entities. “My job is to grow that top line as much as possible our partner is to ensure that the players deliver on and off the field…WIPA’s responsibilities is to ensure that we have no issues of anti-doping and anti-corruption” He added “One of the things that we have instructed WIPA is to ensure that all our players that play for the West Indies, plans are made with them on what they are going to be when they grow up”
CEO of the Jamaica Cricket Association Mr. Courtney Francis labeled the move as a noble one and that partnership are good which can only improve the cricket.
Chairman of Sabina Park Holdings Milton Samuda was particularly impressed with the educational aspect of the proposed plans by WIPA and that partnership is significant in any development process. “In the region we have not done very well in preparing our athletes for life after school so I commend WIPA on that and you will have our full support” said Samuda. The chairman noted that, both parties (WICB & WIPA), need to understand the legacy of West Indies cricket. “What it means to this region and what it means to the fans in this region and that is why it is that we are so passionate about it, we follow it and why it is that we are so unreasonable that we make”
Also in attendance at the official opening were West Indies selector Ambassador Courtney Walsh, West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle, Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Cricket Association Mr. Courtney Francis, WIPA Director Mr. Michael Hall and General Secretary Mr. Wayne Lewis, as well as other members of the Jamaica Cricket Association.
