Howzat!

Although I have yet to see the man in action, I have heard that Courtney Walsh has ‘probably bowled faster, for longer than any man in history’. His track record is clearly impressive, achieving 519 Test wickets and over 30,000 balls, and his role as an Ambassador for sport in Jamaica is highly deserved.

Despite this (and his obvious legendary status and stature!), what impresses me most is not what he has achieved on the field, but what he has achieved off the field in helping vulnerable youth in Jamaica. Courtney is not only an ambassador for sport, he is also an ambassador for social responsibility, altruism and compassion.

Following his highly successful career, Courtney Walsh established the Courtney Walsh Foundation under the theme ‘Cricket, Sports and Caring’.

The Foundation currently runs three programmes;

• Street20 Cricket – a fast moving affordable version of cricket for ‘youth at risk’ in 4 inner city communities
• Disability Cricket – to enable the disabled
• Young Offenders Project – using cricket to engage young and old offenders in 5 correctional institutions

The Reintegration and Rehabilitation Fund (RRF) at the British High Commission, is as committed in helping vulnerable and disadvantaged youth as Courtney Walsh. Together the two organisations are working to improve the lives and outcomes of some of Jamaica’s most challenged youth in volatile communities and within 5 prisons/young offender’s institutions.

To date, the RRF has helped the Courtney Walsh Foundation deliver courses for groups of 22 inmates in 5 institutions, and deliver one 3 hour session of cricket each week in 2 communities. Since 2010 nearly 400 inmates have been awarded either gold, silver or bronze certificates for their commitment and competencies in cricket.

Whilst the programme may have improved their cricket, it has more importantly resulted in better behaviour, improved concentration, increased confidence and willingness to work together… skills that are known to improve life chances.

Courtney Walsh has done more than just play good cricket, he has also contributed towards the improvement of numerous lives, families and communities in Jamaica, with the support of the British High Commission’s Reintegration and Rehabilitation Fund.