Former West Indies all rounder gives back to Nevisian Community

Carl Tuckett

ZIZ News…September 27, 2012 — Former West Indies All rounder, Carl Mc Arthur Tuckett, made a significant donation towards the continued development of cricket in his beloved island in a brief but important ceremony. The ceremony was held at the ET Willet Park on Wednesday 26th September in front of a small but appreciative gathering.

Prior to delivering the gifts of two portable scoreboards, Tuckett delivered an address befitting for an elder statesman: “As we all know, sports is one of the avenues which can assist in the positive development of our youths. The discipline that is learnt in becoming the best that one can be -in reaching for the stars in sports, can be also carried over to other facets in one’s life.

Looking back, I can see how sport has made a difference in my life. The many hours that I needed to spend in training; staying focused; preparing for a game or during a game, there will be no time to get into mischief. Also just knowing that I was representing my country, whether playing under 19; Leewards or for the West Indies with much pride and it was a motivator to me to be always on my best behaviour.

On reflection, I know that I could not have made it on my own. I would like to thank God first of all for giving me the opportunity to represent my country at the highest level and for all the persons that helped to mentor me and who assisted in my development as a cricketer from Primary School; through to West indies; as a Coach and now as an aspiring Umpire.

Sonya Tuckett presents scoreboard

Thanks to all my team mates—and ALL my team mates, I will emphasize—including the All Stars; Nevis; Leeward Islands and West Indies. Thanks to my parents; my late Aunt and her husband who I grew up with, very close to BUKKO Park; my wife and little son Carlon—who is probably daddy’s biggest fan right now; to the entire Nevisian community—big, big thank you for all of your support over the years.

Although a small country, we stand proudly as we have one of the best success rates in terms of the number of persons representing the West Indies per capita. However, to continue with this great feat, our standard of village, Parish and club cricket must be at the highest level.

Having said that and having said a mouthful, I think it’s all but necessary in gratitude to give back to the sport and to the people that I love and thank all who have supported me through the years -not only in my playing days but also so far in my very young umpiring career.

So, I take this opportunity in donating these two portable score boards to the Ministry of Sports and to the Cotton Ground Recreation grounds and head grounds man Livingstone ‘Jabadar’ Lawrence is here to receive it on their behalf. Mr. Trevor Chapman, the Director of Sports will receive on behalf of the Ministry of Sports. Thank you—thank you Nevis, for all of your support.”

Left to right–Livingstone Lawrence; Errol Tyson; Carl Tuckett and Trevor Chapman pose with new scoreboard

Newly appointed Director of Sports, Mr. Trevor Chapman, in accepting the gift of the score board lauded Carl Tuckett and his wife Sonya for the fine gesture and noted that Tuckett had thrilled the Nevisian and West Indian Public with his cricketing talents throughout the years.

He referred to the gesture as a commendable one and thanked them on behalf of the Ministry of Sports and noted that the scoreboard will make its ‘debut’ at the upcoming grand finals in the Development Bank sponsored wind ball finals slated for this coming Sunday.

Former West Indies A team player, Lawrence for his part, congratulated Tuckett for his donation to the continued development of cricket on the island and stated that the scoreboard will be used as early as this coming Saturday as part of the grass roots program which is ongoing at Cotton Ground playing field.

Later, Mrs. Sonya Tuckett revealed that she came up with the idea of donating the scoreboard after the debacle resulting from the controversial match played in the ongoing wind ball tournament between SDA Jets and Highlights.