The Shackleton Scholarship Fund - Shackleton Scholar's Report 2006

Under 17 Cricket Tour of Chile

Roger Diggle, Chairman
Falkland Islands Cricket Association
Stanley

Thanks to a donation from the Shackleton Fund, the Falkland Islands Cricket Association was able to send an Under 17's cricket team to Chile for a 4 match series in April 2006.

14 players, 3 Association officials and one parent plus several other family members made up the tour group. The Falklands team got off to a great start by winning the first two matches, against Santiago Schools and Vina del Mar on Sunday & Monday. Tuesday saw the teams play at the Prince of Wales club for the Magellan Trophy with Chile winning a close fought match.

The final match was played at Lincoln School, some 40 kms. from Santiago. In a close fought match Chile needed one run and the Falklands one wicket. Ultimately Chile scored the winning run in a very close fought match. So, honours were even with the Falklands winning 2 matches and the Chileans winning 2.

Considering most of the Falklands team had only been playing cricket for 9 months the quality of their bowling and fielding were outstanding as was their sportsmanship which was specifically commented upon by Grant Dugmore, Regional Development Officer of the International Cricket Council, who flew to Chile to watch the last match.

As one of the officials who accompanied the tour, I have to say I was thoroughly impressed with the behaviour of the team both on & off the pitch, their enthusiasm and their ability to come together as a team. Several individuals performed outstandingly well, especially the bowlers, but ultimately it was the team who worked together to far exceed our expectations.

A great deal of praise should go to Derek Reeves, the team coach, who was able to motivate the players and develop their skills so effectively and rapidly. Although I may be biased, I do believe that, overall, the Falklands team was better than the Chileans who relied upon one outstanding player, whereas the Falklands team all contributed to the results. The enthusiasm for cricket has continued into the indoor season and we are excited to see new players joining in.

The Shackleton Fund has previously assisted the Cricket Association with a grant towards the cost of obtaining a coach, former New Zealand test player, Warren Stott in 2003. The benefits of this support are evident in the expansion of cricket in the Falklands. The South Atlantic Ashes is now a 3 match series and in October 2006 a 4 team 20 20 series will be held. The Association is hoping to become affiliated to the ICC in 2007. Grant Dugmore will be visiting the Falklands in October 2006 to see the cricket scene here in the Falklands prior to submitting a report to the ICC.