Bede’s School from the United Kingdom has arrived in Antigua and Barbuda for an exciting 10-day cricket tour. The delegation includes two under 19 teams, 15 boys and 11 girls, accompanied by six staff members. Their objective is to promote and strengthen cricket among both male and female students as well as develop partnerships with cricket programmes in Antigua and Barbuda.
Pigotts Sports Club, Sports Tourism Officer Karen Joseph and High Commissioner Karen-Mae Hill have collaborated closely to plan and execute this prestigious tour. President of the Pigotts Sports Club, Bakesha Francis-James, along with Hugh ‘Carda’ Smith, were tasked with co-ordinating a local male and female team to compete against the visitors. Former West Indies player, Winston Benjamin, along with Ajani Frederick have been coaching a 15-member male team. Keith Frederick has been working with 13 local females.
The scheduled matches include:
• Friday, 14th February: The men’s team will play a 40-over match at Liberta Sports Club at 10am, while the women’s team will compete at Pigotts Sports Club at the same time.
• Monday, 17th February: T20 matches: the men’s team at Pigotts Sports Club and the women’s team at Liberta Sports Club.
• Tuesday, 18th February: 40-over match: The men’s team at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and the women’s team at Liberta Sports Club for a 30-over match.
• Thursday, 20th February : Final T20 matches featuring the men’s team at the Liberta Sports Club and the women’s team at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
Outside of the cricket field, the Bede’s School touring delegation will embark on an island tour, visit Shirley Heights, and hold courtesy meetings with prominent figures, including the Honourable Daryll Matthew, Minister for Education, Sports and the Creative Industries; Honourable Charles Fernandez, Minister for Tourism and Investment; Resident British Commissioner John Hamilton; and Antigua and Barbuda’s Cricketing Knights.
Callaum Martin, a former Hull City player of Antiguan heritage and a former student of Bede’s, played a crucial role in introducing Bede’s School to the Honourable Daryll Matthew, Minister of Education and Sports, and Her Excellency Karen-Mae Hill, High Commissioner of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Kingdom.
On 7th November 2024, Minister Matthew, High Commissioner Hill, and cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards visited Bede’s School to finalise the arrangements for the tour and to meet Dajari Barthley, an Antiguan student enrolled at Bede’s in a football programme.
Bede’s School is an independent co-educational school in the United Kingdom. It offers education from preparatory to senior levels and is known for its strong academic and sporting programmes, with a particular emphasis on cricket. Current West Indies ODI Captain Shai Hope studied at Bede’s.
The visit will also allow Antiguan and Barbudan students to learn about opportunities to study at Bede’s. It is expected that tours such as these will be held annually and expanded to include more schools from the UK and islands in the region.
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