Small big on BTA camp

GLADSTONE SMALL is back in Bim.And not just for the sun, sea and sand. Try iconic sporting instruction.The Bajan-born former English Test cricketer has given the thumbs up to Barbados Tourism Authority’s (BTA) Barbados Camp as an alluring tool to develop sports, especially cricket, in the country as well as to attract visitors.Small gave this praise while running kids through several training drills as the four-week sports camp opened yesterday at the Banks playing field in Wildey.“It’s great for cricket,” said Small of his and other former Test players’ involvement in the camp.“The more the island can offer to young, aspiring cricketers both local guys here in Barbados and also to the travellers coming to this wonderful island, then cricket is the winner.”A veteran fast bowler of 17 Tests, Small is just one of four Test players coaching at the camp, which includes fellow England internationals Graeme Hick and Dean Headley, along with legendary West Indies opener Desmond Haynes.“I’ve reached that stage where I can’t do it anymore,” laughed Small, “so you try to pass on whatever knowledge you gather from over the years of loving and playing this game.”Cricket isn’t the only sport at the camp that has been bolstered by the tutelage of one-time professionals either, as one-time English Premiership forward Mark Bright has joined the likes of former England netball captain Alex Astle as one of 12 icons lending their coaching expertise.“We try to get the top sporting personalities to pass on their skills and also tell about their experiences within the sporting arena because we want these kids to recognise that they can achieve what the sporting personalities did as well,” said the BTA’s Petra Roach.“They’re very socially responsible and they understand they got a lot through sports and they’re very keen to give back.”And Small sees their involvement as a further drawing card for overseas-based schools and teams like Cheadle, the Cheshire side from England that are participating in the camp’s first week.“They would’ve seen the Freddie Flintoffs and the Kevin Pietersens playing in Barbados and now they’re here to do the same so it can only be a good experience,” said Small of the visiting English side.Now in its fourth year, the camp caters to children between the ages of nine and 17 while focusing on building the cultural exchanges of local and visiting kids during the four weeks.