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Gayle Set To Launch Academy In Jamaica
The Chris Gayle Academy is all set for launch in Jamaica
©Chris Gayle AcademyOne year on from its successful launch in London, the Chris Gayle Academy will next week launch the Jamaican branch of the iconic cricketer's youth empowerment programme.
In partnership with Cricket 4 Change, British Airways, Spartan and Digicel Jamaica, the Chris Gayle Foundation will host 20 young Jamaicans aged between 16 and 20 from disadvantaged backgrounds for 12 months.
5 YEAR VISION OF THE CHRIS GAYLE ACADEMY IN JAMAICA
- To inspire 3,000 children to stay in school and make the most of their education in Jamaica
- To support 200 children to return to school in Jamaica
- To work closely with The Change Foundation (Cricket for Change) to develop the capacity of The
- The Chris Gayle Foundation will deliver high quality social impact programmes using cricket.
- To share the expertise we develop in using cricket to motivate children to make the most of their education with other countries in the Caribbean region
THE CHRIS GAYLE ACADEMY TEAM
- Each year consists of 16 young people aged 16 to 21 from a range of disadvantaged backgrounds but who all share the same motivation to make the most of their lives. The team will play matches against a range of opposition from across Jamaica which will act as a focus for the development of their communication skills, teamwork and collective pride in their achievements.
- Each player will work with their coaches to draw up a Personal Development Plan (PDP) which outlines the plans and aspirations not just in cricket but also in the development of their employability.
- To graduate from the programme the academy members must spend time putting something back into their communities by volunteering on the Chris Gayle’s Big ‘6’ programme in schools and clubs.
The goal: to unlock their potential and change their lives.
The means: the power of cricket.
Launched in England in May 2013, it has already benefited 18 young men who are now role models in their local communities.
"Cricket is indeed a powerful sport; it has certainly changed my life," Gayle says.
"Through cricket, I was given the tools and support to succeed and I want to share this with the youth through my Academy."
Gayle uses the same 'Big Six' point philoophy that he applies to his own life as the Academy's guiding principles:
- Making Good Choices
- Understanding Consequences & Actions
- Working Hard
- Setting Goals
- Looking After Yourself
- Respecting Others
The 'Big Six' are a series of workshops and questionnaires based on these philosophies that will guide and measure the journey of those on the Academy.
The programme will also be rolled out in six primary and preparatory schools in Kingston: Rollington Town Primary (Gayle's Alma Mater), Excelsior Primary, Mountain View Primary, Vaz Preparatory, Clan Carthy Preparatory and Windward Road Primary.
Explaining the impact that the programme has had since launching in the UK, Cricket 4 Change's Donovan Miller explains that it is about far more than just playing cricket.
"This Academy is about more than cricket," he begins.
"The young men here in the UK come from varying backgrounds and communities and have been able to group together and share their experiences and sharpen their life skills.
"Not all these young men want to pursue professional cricket, but the Academy teaches them important skills that prepare them for the working world.
"Many of these boys have not had the greatest opportunities, and this Academy brings their talents to the fore and shows them who they can be.
"Some of these boys came into the Academy not expecting much but have received much more than they anticipated and some have even gone back to school to complete their education to better themselves and excel."
Listen below to our interviews with Donovan and two of the young men who have been involved from day one in London.
© Cricket World 2014
