JCA and UTech renew MOU to expand islandwide cricket development

The Jamaica Cricket Association and the University of Technology have renewed their partnership through a new memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening cricket development across Jamaica.

JCA president Dr. Donovan Bennett said the arrangement is a renewal rather than a first-time deal. An earlier MOU between the two organisations had expired, and both sides agreed to revive it because the programme had delivered results over the years. The original agreement was signed in 2010.

Bennett described the renewed MOU as a broad initiative. It covers the training of coaches and umpires and also supports players. He noted that UTech has previously awarded scholarships to some cricketers and that the association expects that support to continue.

UTech president Dr. Kevin Brown said the university wants to work with the JCA to develop elite players and to pursue research into how cricketers succeed, including through biomechanics, with a view to improving performance. The partnership will also focus on sports management, offering professional development and short courses in club cricket management and administration.

Brown said the collaboration creates an opening to work not only with the JCA but also with the government and private-sector partners to help restore cricket to its former standing. He expressed confidence that combining UTech’s academic strengths with the JCA’s work would help rebuild the sport to earlier levels of success.