In an effort to recognise our young people making strides, every week we will feature at least one young person from the OECS on Talent Tuesday. This week we feature 4 outstanding cricketers from UWI Cavehill Campus. In this piece, we feature Larry Edward.
Unlike the dormant volcano of St.Lucia, Larry Edward explodes with passion and talent in his career choice as a cricketer.
Larry`s talent is reminiscent of the way in which lava flows out of a volcano, destroying every obstacle in its path.
Hailing from the Helen of the West Indies, Edward sprouted from being the captain of the under 15&17 St.Lucia Cricket team and the Windward Islands under 17 team to being scouted into UWI Blackbirds to pursue a career in cricket as well as a degree on campus. He took this as an opportunity to refine his skill and become a world-class orthodox spinner and middle-order batsman.
The transition from being an ordinarily recognised cricketer in his territory to being a well-rounded, successful student-athlete gave Edward a lot to reflect on. He worked hard and diligently to becoming what he is today and took a huge leap into a career he`s always dreamed about.
This experience moulded him into a more experienced and better cricketer who is always looking for how he can always improve his performance. As successful as this young St.Lucian is, he still has to endure the hardships such as the burden of not feeling good enough in the competitive world of sports, adaptation to constant travel and different cultures and the inevitable, pressuring feeling of critiques from others. However, he has managed to use every ounce of strength he has to overcome the hardships.
With regards to cricket development in the Caribbean, Edward believes there is a lack of support from the Caribbean when it comes to sports, not from companies but from its people. Also, according to Edward, extra fast wickets are barely present in the Caribbean. If it was present, this could help with self-development for a young aspiring athlete. However, he believes that it has been improving and giving persons a fair opportunity but there is room for improvement.
In spite of this, Edward keeps himself motivated by looking at cricket in a positive light. He views it as more of a hobby and a way of experiencing new opportunities. By doing this, Edward believes that he will never get tired of cricket as it is an essential part of him. Cricket has provided Edward with an avenue to be at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
He keeps his focus on the field by always thinking of new strategies to outsmart his opponents in order to win the game. Edwards believes that you learn from your surroundings and the opposition team. Therefore, one may have to change your style of playing to adapt to a cricket match. So you must always be aware, on your feet and ready for action.
The way in which he advises the youth who dream of becoming a professional athlete is truly inspirational.
“The old cliché practice makes perfect has always been something my coaches and peers told me I have to be discipline in. As a youth, the only way to grow into a better athlete is to train & this helps you and me in a number of ways. It has been in me from day one. I`ll be training almost every day back home and wherever I am in the Caribbean. You must love training to become a better athlete. At times, it may feel discouraging but this is the test. Even the world`s greatest, train by batting & bowling plenty balls per day to get where they are today. I took this opportunity to be at UWI because it gives me the chance to gain an education. Importantly, it is not about playing but learning through education and growing holistically to become a better athlete.”
Playing for the UWI Cave Hill Blackbirds, Windward Islands Volcanoes (2015), St.Lucia Cricket Team, Gros Islet Cricket Club and wishing to play for the West Indies Cricket Team doesn`t mean that he has cricket on his mind 24/7. It`s more like 23/6. He does have other aspirations in life. After he completes his degree in Banking & Finance, he would like to become a Bank manager. He would also like to be a coach/manager of a cricket team to help young prospects.
Know someone that should be featured in Talent Tuesdays? Send us an email at oecsyes@oecs.org
