Cricket West Indies Invests in Future Talent with Women’s Academy High-Performance Skills Camp

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) launched a dedicated Women’s Academy High-Performance Skills Camp on Tuesday, 18 March at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua which brought together the region’s most promising female cricket talent.

The nine-day intensive programme, which ran from 18 to 27 March, saw 15 Academy and franchise-contracted players working alongside an experienced coaching team led by West Indies Senior Women’s Head Coach Shane Deitz.

The camp officially opened with a ceremony at Coolidge Cricket Ground, where Leon Kuma Rodney, Chair of CWI’s Women’s Cricket Transformation Committee, addressed attendees alongside Enoch Lewis, Chair of CWI’s Cricket Development and Performance Committee; Dwain Gill, Cricket West Indies High-Performance Manager; and Women’s Head Coach Shane Deitz.

The initiative brought together twelve CWI Academy-contracted players and three franchise-contracted players: Earnisha Fontaine (Dominica), Nerissa Crafton (St. Lucia), and Sheneta Grimmond (Guyana).

Additionally, eight CWI Pathway Coaches from across the region participated in the camp, along with Sam Kirnon, a coach from Dominica, who was specially nominated by the Windward Islands Cricket Board to attend.

Ryan Austin, West Indies Senior Women’s Assistant Coach, also lent his expertise to support the technical development of both players and pathway coaches.

CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe hailed the initiative, saying: 

“This Women’s Academy High-Performance Camp focuses on alignment. It represents a crucial investment in the future of West Indies cricket by uniting our most promising talent and regional coaches with the Women’s Head Coach, establishing a cohesive approach to player development that aligns with the senior team brand."

"The technical skills these young women developed here are important, but the ability of our regional coaches to support our women players in their territories is equally valuable. Our vision is to build a sustainable pathway that consistently produces world-class cricketers capable of competing at the highest level, and initiatives like this are fundamental to that strategy.”

The training schedule focused on several key areas, divided between specialist batting, bowling and fielding sessions. Players engaged in scenario-based training to improve decision-making under pressure, game awareness, and tactical play. There were also strength and conditioning sessions designed to improve fitness and prevent injuries.

The camp's aim was to develop technical cricket abilities as well as the mental resilience and tactical understanding needed to succeed at higher levels of competition. Pathway coaches were also exposed to progressive training methodologies as they provided targeted skill development for the players.

The long term aim is a collaborative environment where coaches and players can engage in mentorship and knowledge-sharing, with the common goal of enhancing the developmental pathway that will benefit women’s cricket across the region for years to come.

The camp concluded with competitive internal matches on 26 and 27 March, to allow players to apply their training in match situations and give coaches the opportunity to assess their progress.

Players and coaches arrived in Antigua on 18 March and departed on 28 March following the camp’s conclusion.

CWI Coaches:

1. Shane Deitz

2. Ryan Austin

CWI Pathway Coaches:

1. Ulrick Batson

2. Tremayne Smartt

3. Milton Thomas

4. Percy Daniel

5. Pernel Watley

6. Merissa Aguilleira

7. Cleton Burnett

8. Dalton Polius

Invited Players:

1. Asabi Callender

2. Jahzara Claxton

3. Nerissa Crafton

4. Earnisha Fontaine

5. Realeanna Grimmond

6. Sheneta Grimmond

7. Brianna Harricharan

8. Shawnisha Hector

9. Trishan Holder

10. Djenaba Joseph

11. Nyia Latchman

12. Samara Ramnath

13. Shunelle Sawh

14. Steffie Soogrim

15. Kate Wilmott

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