President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Dave Cameron recently wrote the potential Caribbean Franchise players assuring them of a decent livelihood. The president stated that the WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) will allow the players to pursue their passion in a truly professional environment on a day-to-day basis with their franchise while providing a stable income to their family. Here is a full text of the letter.
West Indies Cricket Board Inc.
October, 2014
Dear Player,
I write to convey the West Indies Cricket Board’s sincere congratulations to you on being one of the elite cricketers in the West Indies who has been specially selected for participation in the inaugural and historic WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL).
The WICB recognizes that your hard work and dedication to the sport, in practice, physical and mental training, game preparation and skills development have formed the basis of your selection for this historic professional sporting endeavor – the first and only of its kind in the Caribbean.
We are especially pleased that the PCL will allow you to pursue your passion in a truly professional environment on a day-to-day basis with your franchise while providing a stable income for you and your family.
The PCL is a revolutionary introduction into the West Indian cricketing landscape which the WICB anticipates will transform West Indies First Class, List A and International cricket.
The WICB’s investment of US$4,300,000 in the PCL is a tangible commitment to you the elite cricketers in the region to ensure that you have a professional platform to display your skills as part of a well-organized franchise system.
While the WICB has laid the foundation and put the structure in place, it is the contribution of you and your fellow players and the six franchises – Barbados, Guyana Jaguars, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and Windward Island Volcanoes – who will make the PCL the success we envision it will be.
The WICB looks forward to your continued passion and outstanding performances on the field and dedication off-field. As you are aware your selection in the PCL guarantees you an annual income of between US$15,600 and US$36,000. This is in addition to match fees and prize monies. Your potential earning from the PCL: Franchise Retainer Contract: US$15,600 – US$36,000;
Regional 4 Day match fees for full season of 10 matches: US$13,000; NAGICO Super50 match fees for full season of 7 matches: US$4,900; Potential total annual earning scale: US$33,500 – US$53,900.
Naturally there are further opportunities for your annual earnings to be even further enhanced with participation in the Caribbean Premier League, selection to the West Indies A Team and West Indies Team. We look forward to you further enhancing your skills and credentials to allow you to exploit these game-changing economic opportunities for regional cricketers.
We are aware of some concerns raised by your players’ association, WIPA, with regard to the standard of facilities for regional cricket and we offer our commitment to ensuring that all aspects of the PCL is truly reflective of its ‘professional’ status.
We offer the WICB’s very best wishes and look forward to your performances in the PCL. Should you require assistance in continued personal development, financial planning, time management or any other aspect of your life as a professional cricketer please feel free to contact the WICB Player Relations Officer Ayana Cooper on telephone number 1268 725 4071 or acooper@windiescricket.com or the West Indies Players Association officers Gabriel Nain (gabrielnain@wiplayers.com) or Jean Jordan (jeanjordan@wiplayers.com).
We look forward to your continued professionalism and dedication with your franchise as we are certain that you will take your responsibilities and commitments with the seriousness with which they deserve and to which we know you are committed. We also look forward to your ideas and suggestions as to how we can work together to improve the PCL from season to season.
WEST INDIES CRICKET BOARD INC
Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron
President