By Robert Dabney and Lisa Mcclean-Trotman

ENGLAND’S YOUNG FAST BOWLER STAURT BROAD VISTS UNICEF PROJECT AT BARBADOS PRIMARY SCHOOL

By Robert Dabney and Lisa McClean-Trotman

(Bridgetown, Barbados – 12 April 2007) – On Thursday 12 April, students participating in the Hillaby Turner’s Hall Primary School Positive Lifestyle Cricket fest were given a special treat when one of the English Cricket team fast bowlers – Stuart Broad – took part in their inter-school cricket competition on the school compounds.

20- year-old Broad’s visit to the school was part of the outreach visits being organized by UNICEF as part of its partnership with the ICC, UNAIDS and the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS to focus on children and AIDS during the CWC 2007. Broad took the opportunity to practice bowling and catching with the children and showing them how to improve their batting techniques.

“Sports can be of massive importance in helping in the development of children,” said Stuart Broad following his visit to the primary school. “I was delighted to have a chance to spend some time with the children, talking to them one-on-one about building for their futures and avoiding the temptations and pitfalls that are out there. These kids really have a passion for the sport (cricket) and it can be very important in keeping them headed in the right direction.”

Hillaby Turner’s Hall Primary School is one of the schools in the Eastern Caribbean where UNICEF will be supporting the development of peaceful coexistence models. The positive lifestyle cricket fest, which was supported by UNICEF also featured a motivational talk to the students by former West Indian player Sherwin Campbell and coaching tips by Vasper Drakes, who is also a former West Indian player.

Principal of the school, Karen Best was extremely pleased at the support from the cricketers and indicated that she believed their presence would help to boost the talents of these young potential West Indian players

“The West Indies will need good young cricketers with strong values and of good character,” Best told the students. “The presence of Mr. Broad and the other Barbadian cricketers here today is as an example of how hard work, determination, dedication can pay off,” she added.

Tom Olsen, UNICEF Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean stressed the importance of working with primary schools in the region, in order to advance sports for positive development

“UNICEF is working to ensure that every child in the Caribbean is equipped with the tools to make good decisions that will lead to positive, healthy lifestyles,” said Olsen during remarks made at Cricket fest. “These tools include having high self-esteem, respecting self and others, having discipline and self- confidence– all of which are important in HIV prevention, as well as addressing other social ills confronting children and adolescents.”

The Cricket Fest ended with the appearance of Mello – the Cricket mascot, who also entertained the children.