WEST INDIES cricket legend Desmond Haynes has some stern advice for the parents of players in the LIME Under-15 cricket final – don’t get too involved.Haynes, who is manager of the Barbados team, was speaking to the Garrison players yesterday in a session at the YMPC Clubhouse, Beckles Road, where he cautioned the youngsters not to be disrespectful of their parents but they needed to get them to understand that they had a coach and people entrusted with getting them to perform in the finals.“Let your parents know that you have spoken with me and that you know what needs to be done in the finals. If they want to come and sit down and support the team that is all right. But if they want to walk around the field coaching and threatening you when you make a mistake, tell them to keep away,” Haynes said“If your parents knew more than the coach they would be the coach, and while your parents might love you, support you and want the best for you, going around the ground during the game and shouting instructions as well as threats of walking home or being denied food for a week will not help you or the team.”Haynes also warned the players about being confused by some of their schoolmates who also want to be giving advice. “If they were better than you they would be playing and you would be on the sidelines,” he told them.Garrison will oppose The Lodge School in the three-day final starting todayat LIME Sports Club.Haynes, a former West Indies opener said the players were at a stage where they would make mistakes that would help them to learn.He warned that trying to avoid errors by following the coaches’ advice while trying not to displease parents and friends would lead to confusion and more errors.
(KB)
