Coralisle Group Ltd. (CG) has continued to champion youth cricket in Bermuda as the proud sponsor of summer cricket camps and the Mini Cup Match, reinforcing its commitment to grassroots cricket and the development of local talent. Now in its second year, the initiative is part of a wider collaboration with Cricket West Indies (CWI), the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB), and the Bermuda Government’s Department of Sport and Recreation to elevate youth and community cricket across the island.
Building on the success of last year’s programme, CG expanded its support this summer by welcoming back CWI coaches Ryan Austin and Britney Cooper for a second consecutive year. This time, the two top-tier coaches spent two full weeks on island, leading the Government Summer Day Camp’s cricket programme, mentoring a new generation of players, and coaching their own teams in the highly anticipated Mini Cup Match; Britney guiding St. George’s and Ryan leading Sommerset.
Ryan Austin, a former Barbados and West Indies Test player, currently serves as an Assistant Coach for the Senior CWI Women’s team with experience coaching both male and female teams at all levels. Britney Cooper, a current CWI player, has enjoyed a career spanning over 13 years and was a key member of the West Indies’ T20 World Cup-winning team in 2016. More recently, she has supported the CWI High Performance pathway, working with the Female Under-19 and Academy/Emerging
Player programmes.
Beyond the camp, both coaches devoted their evenings to Bermuda’s broader cricket community, supporting clinics for the youth and the Bermuda Women’s Team.
“This partnership is a reflection of our deep belief in the power of sport to uplift communities,” said Naz Farrow, CG’s Chief Executive Officer. “By leveraging our long-standing relationship with CWI, we’re not only helping to grow the technical abilities of young players, but also nurturing a love for Bermuda’s national sport. It’s a privilege to contribute to an initiative that connects so closely to the communities where we live and work.”
Kenny Bartram, Senior Recreation Development Officer for the Department of Sport and Recreation, noted the impact of the collaboration. “This summer, we were able to offer our own dedicated, cricket- focused camp named The Next Innings. This camp was launched as a premier summer experience to immerse young cricketers into Bermuda’s most iconic sporting event, tradition, pride, and spirit. It has blended elite-level training with cultural heritage, guided by Cup Match legends Irving Romaine and Bascome, who represent the heart of the East vs. West rivalry, and thanks to the expert guidance provided by the CWI coaches, made possible through CG’s support, this has created a unique and enriching experience for our campers. The Mini Cup Match served as the perfect culmination, giving the kids a platform to put their new skills into action.“
Calvin Blankendal, Executive Director of the Bermuda Cricket Board, emphasised the broader influence of the partnership. “CG has been a beneficial supporter of cricket in Bermuda and the BCB. Their work with CWI continues to bear fruit, not just for youth players, but also for our national and adult programmes. The presence of these coaches over the past two weeks has injected new energy and expertise into our local cricketing landscape.”
The Mini Cup Match itself was a celebration of sportsmanship and island tradition, with campers representing Somerset and St. George’s in a spirited match that captured the excitement of the island’s beloved Cup Match season. The event served as both a capstone to the coaching camp and a curtain-raiser for the upcoming senior fixture, showcasing Bermuda’s promising young talent and the enduring legacy of the sport.
CG remains committed to investing in Bermuda’s future through initiatives that support youth development, community engagement, and national pride, on and off the field.
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