Jersey hopeful for Associate status after successful ICC Inspection
This article is taken from the Jersey Cricket Newletter - Around the Boundary
Cricket in Jersey has been praised during this month's visit by the ICC team inspecting Jersey's suitability for promotion to Associate membership.
The Jersey Cricket Board hosted Matthew Kennedy, ICC Global Development Manager, and Laurie Pieters of the ICC Chief Executives Committee, for an extensive three day visit during which they inspected Jersey's facilities, were given a presentation by the Board, met the Lieutenant-Governor and Government ministers, observed a youth coaching session, attended a press conference and met representatives of Jersey cricket.
Matthew Kennedy explained, "Our role is to provide a report for the 32 Associate members for them to discuss the information and it is up to them to make the recommendation to the annual conference in June.
"Your players have already put in a fantastic effort by winning two matches away to Italy. They had a job at hand, they knew what they had to do and they did it well.
"One of the most important things in cricket development is not just on-field teams but off-field teams too ? and you certainly seem to have a great band of administrators who have good plans and good strategy."
"The next step for Jersey is the ICC development meeting in Dubai on 6th and 7th May. That meeting comprises one representative from each of the five regions ? Europe, East Asia Pacific, Africa, the Americas and Asia.
"They will consider our report and take forward their thoughts on whether all the criteria have been ticked to the executive board meeting in June. The executive board are ten Test playing nations plus three representatives from the Associates. One or two days after that meeting it goes to the annual conference and to be approved Jersey would require a 75% vote."
Laurie Pieters, who has been involved in Namibian cricket for 50 years, added, "I am really surprised because the facilities here are outstanding. I can't fault them and you have so many of them!
He continued, "A very good structure is in place and if Jersey is now accepted as an Associate member, they will develop those structures even further and it would be of benefit to the Jersey Cricket Board and, of course, its players. I'm very positive about the inspection and, hopefully, by the end of June, Jersey could be an ICC Associate member."
JCB chairman Keith Dennis said, "Both officials are astounded by the facilities we have. We are delighted with their reactions but I am not surprised."