Goolie awarded cricket Darren Lehmann scholarship

Trinidad and Tobago Under-19 cricketer, Jyd Goolie has been awarded a scholarship by the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago to attend the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy in Adelaide, Australia.

The 18-year-old was part of the West Indies Under-19 team that won the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh earlier this year and the scholarship is expected to play an instrumental role in the player’s development.

“I was very surprised when I got the news. Honestly I was not expecting this opportunity at the Darren Lehmann Academy and I am quite excited about this new challenge,” said the Under-19 World Cup winner.

Commenting on his parents reaction to the news Goolie said, They were really surprised when they got the news about the Darren Lehmann Academy. Both of them have been very supportive and they have encouraged me to take advantage of this opportunity in Australia and work hard to reap success in life.”

The batting all-rounder will be at the Darren Lehmann Academy from October 2016 to March 2017 which rules him out of Red Force selection for the majority of the 2016/17 West Indies Cricket Board Professional Cricket League.

“It is a big sacrifice. This is the longest I will be away from Trinidad. I will miss my parents a lot but I have to go out there and put in the hard work to get the results,” the FC Clarke Road player explained.

He added, “I just want to go to Australia and push myself to the limit. Coming off the Under-19 World Cup success I am fearful of my skills reaching a plateau. I just want to better myself and this is a good opportunity for me to further my development as a cricketer.”

The core components of the Darren Lehmann Academy consists of: Individual Skill Improvement for batting and bowling, Fielding, Strength and Conditioning, Speed and agility, Weights and core, Speed Endurance, Low impact Cardio, Bowler Pre-Habilitation, Recovery, Injury Prevention, Nutrition, Mental Approach – Psychology, Centre Wicket Training, Tactics, Competition, Club Training / Playing, Level 1 Coaching & Umpiring Accreditation Course and Leadership Program.

Commenting on the demands of the Academy Goolie said, “I am looking to work on every part of my game…mental and physical. On my return I would like to be a better batsman, bowler and fielder who can be productive on various conditions…taking important wickets and scoring centuries.”

The national youth player concluded, “This is another stepping stone after the World Cup. To be at this Academy for six months will benefit me a great deal.”