West Indies Take Time Out For Children

Members of the West Indies team took a break from their busy schedule to spend time with a number of enthusiastic young cricketers.

Over 200 persons, most of them from the Onslow Cricket Club’s Under-13 programme, turned up on Monday at the Nanville Grounds, on the outskirts of the Wellington city centre to get close to captain Chris Gayle and other team-mates.

The event was organized by representatives of Digicel, the official team sponsors. During the morning, Gayle gave the youngsters words of advice and urged them to “dream big dreams” and go after their goals.

“When I look into the crowd I can see many young children and I’m happy to be here with you. I was a little boy like you back in Jamaica, and I had dreams like you. Now I am here today and once you go after your goals, one day you will achieve them,” Gayle told the gathering.

“I see a lot of parents here and this is very good. I want urge you little ones to listen to your parents. They know what’s best for you will guide you in the right direction.”

After speaking to the group, the Windies players signed autographs, posed for photographs and handed out gifts as part of a quiz. Members of the Onslow Club also presented the players and members of the team’s management with souvenir caps.

The West Indies are in Wellington for the third One-Day International against New Zealand. The fixture will be played on Wednesday at the Westpac Stadium. First ball is at 2 pm (Tuesday - 9 pm Eastern Caribbean Time/8 pm Jamaica Time).

The Windies lead the series 1-0 following a thrilling victory in the second match at Christchurch on last Saturday. The first match at Queenstown ended in a no-result due to heavy rain.

Members of the West Indies team took a break from their busy schedule to spend time with a number of enthusiastic young cricketers.

Over 200 persons, most of them from the Onslow Cricket Club’s Under-13 programme, turned up on Monday at the Nanville Grounds, on the outskirts of the Wellington city centre to get close to captain Chris Gayle and other team-mates.

The event was organized by representatives of Digicel, the official team sponsors. During the morning, Gayle gave the youngsters words of advice and urged them to “dream big dreams” and go after their goals.

“When I look into the crowd I can see many young children and I’m happy to here with you. I was a little boy like you back in Jamaica, and I had dreams like you. Now I am here today and once you go after your goals, one day you will achieve them,” Gayle told the gathering.

“I see a lot of parents here and this is very good. I want urge you little ones to listen to your parents. They know what’s best for you will guide you in the right direction.”

After speaking to the group, the Windies players signed autographs, posed for photographs and handed out gifts as part of a quiz. Members of the Onslow Club also presented the players and members of the team’s management with souvenir caps.

The West Indies are in Wellington for the third One-Day International against New Zealand. The fixture will be played on Wednesday at the Westpac Stadium. First ball is at 2 pm (Tuesday - 9 pm Eastern Caribbean Time/8 pm Jamaica Time).

The Windies lead the series 1-0 following a thrilling victory in the second match at Christchurch on last Saturday. The first match at Queenstown ended in a no-result due to heavy rain.

© West Indies Cricket Board