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Antigua and Barbuda High Commission, 12 February 2025—Bede’s School from the United Kingdom has arrived in Antigua and Barbuda for an exciting ten-day cricket tour.
The delegation includes two under 19 teams—15 boys and 11 girls—accompanied by 6 staff members. Their objective is to promote and strengthen cricket among both male and female students as well as develop partnerships with cricket programmes in Antigua and Barbuda.
Pigott’s Sports Club, Sports Tourism Officer Karen Joseph and High Commissioner Karen-Mae Hill have collaborated closely to plan and execute this prestigious tour.
President of the Pigotts Sports Club, Bakesha Francis-James, along with Hugh ‘Carda’ Smith, were tasked with co-ordinating a local male and female team to compete against the visitors.
Former West Indies player, Winston Benjamin, along with Ajani Frederick have been coaching a 15-member male team. Keith Frederick has been working with 13 local females.
The scheduled matches include:
• Friday, 14th February: The men’steam will play a 40-over match at Liberta Sports Club at 10:00am, while the women’s team will compete at Pigott’s Sports Club at the same time.
• Monday, 17th February – T20 matches: the men’s team at Pigott’s Sports Club and the women’s team at Liberta Sports Club.
• Tuesday, 18th February – 40-over match: The men’s team at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and the women’s team at Liberta Sports Club for a 30-over match. • Thursday, 20th February – Final T20 matches featuring the men’s team at the Liberta Sports Club and the women’s team at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
Outside of the cricket field, the Bede’s School touring delegation will embark on an island tour, visit Shirley Heights, and hold courtesy meetings with prominent figures, including the Honourable Daryll Matthew, Minister for Education, Sports and the Creative Industries, Honourable Charles Fernandez, Minister for Tourism and Investment; Resident British Commissioner John Hamilton; and Antigua and Barbuda’s Cricketing Knights.
Callaum Martin, a former Hull City player of Antiguan heritage and a formerstudent of Bede’s, played a crucial role in introducing Bede’s School to the Honourable Daryll Matthew, Minister of Education and Sports, and Her Excellency Karen-Mae Hill, High Commissioner of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Kingdom.
On 7th November 2024, Minister Matthew, High Commissioner Hill, and cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards visited Bede’s School to finalise the arrangements for the tour and to meet Dajari Barthley, an Antiguan student enrolled at Bede’s in a football programme.
Director of Cricket at Bede’s, Alan Wells, expressed his enthusiasm: “Twenty-six students, 15 boys and 11 girls, along with six members of staff from Bede’s Senior School in the UK, are absolutely thrilled to be coming to the beautiful island of Antigua on a cricket tour for the first time.
We are confident that we will have the most incredible time and make lifelong memories.
We are excited to meet new friends and acquaintances and forge long-lasting relationships on the island.”
Minister Matthew also commended on the initiative: “I would like to thank Mr. Peter Goodyer, Principal of Bede’s School, for greenlighting this tour and facilitating such an important sporting exchange.
This tour will undoubtedly enhance the skills of young Antiguan cricketers, both male and female, while also providing valuable exposure for the visiting team from the UK.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to Sir Vivian Richards and High Commissioner Hill for visiting Bede’s School with me last year to ensure the successful planning of this tour.
Our vision is to inspire and develop first-class cricketers who will continue to compete at the international level.
Special thanks also go to the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association for their support in welcoming the touring team.”
Karen Joseph from the Ministry of Tourism remarked: “This tour not only showcases the rich cricketing culture of Antigua and Barbuda but also highlights the vital role of sports tourism in our economy.
Welcoming international teams,such as Bede’s School, enables us to promote our island’s heritage and hospitality while fostering long-term relationships that extend beyond the cricket field.
Antigua and Barbuda’s capacity to host such events demonstrates our commitment to positioning the island as a premier destination for sports tourism.”
Bede’s School is an independent co-educational school in the United Kingdom. It offers education from preparatory to senior levels and is known for its strong academic and sporting programmes, with a particular emphasis on cricket.
Current West Indies ODI Captain Shai Hope studied at Bede’s.
The visit will also allow Antiguan and Barbudan students to learn about opportunities to study at Bede’s.
It is expected that tours such as these will be held annually and expanded to include more schools from the UK and Islands in the region.
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Would be even better if more local school teams got similar international exposure,,,
Niceeee!!! I love cricket so muchhh..
Good opportunity for the kids.