Hosted by Indigo Event Services and Richie Rich Sports and Leisure there are 3 UK teams coming to Antigua during March for their annual Cricket Tours – Bickley Park Cricket Club; Royal Logistic Corps Cricket Club and Grasshoppers Cricket Club which is is great for the island’s sports tourism and we would love to get some spectators along to the matches to create a warm Antiguan welcome for the teams.  There has been great support and interest from the Ministry of Sport; Ministry of Tourism/Sports Tourism and the management team at the SVRS to ensure these matches can be played at the grounds the teams requested and Kenny Benjamin has been a great help in organising the matches at his home ground in Falmouth.

Bickley Park Cricket Club from Bickley in Kent, UK
Martin Maunders from BPCC first contacted Indigo Events in June 2009 having read a great write up that the RLC CC (Royal Logistics Corps Cricket Club) made following their first Cricket Tour to Antigua in 2008  “I have recently read a review of your services to the RLC CC that toured in 2008. Rob the tour leader for the RLC CC speaks highly of the work yourself and Richie Richardson put in to make their tour a success. I am one of the representatives of BPCC responsible for getting a British winter cricket tour to Antigua organised for 2010/2011.” 

Martin and I then regularly emailed about their forthcoming tour and together with Richie Richardson and Austin Richards Snr, we put the finishing touches to their match schedule last month.  They booked their flights and accommodation and the first of the team arrived in Antigua on Saturday.  Wednesday 3rd sees the rest of the team arriving for a great 10 days of sand, sea, sun and cricket!

Bickley Park CC are a serious team whose request was simple ‘we have some very good players coming on tour, many are Kent League 1st team players that regularly represent the League and the MCC.  Without sounding arrogant, the 1st eleven from our squad that's touring Antigua, is the strongest eleven we have ever toured with!  The players are really looking forward to, not only enjoying your beautiful island, but also playing hard cricket with the best Antigua have got!’.

Bickley Park CC fly out on Saturday 12th March and the RLC CC fly in - it’s a great shame the two teams don’t have the chance to play each other! 

The Royal Logistics Corp Cricket Club first toured Antigua in February 2008 and loved it so much, they decided to come back this year!  The RLC have a bi-annual Cricket Tour and instead of trying somewhere new, the decision was unanimous – Antigua for 2011!  Arriving on Saturday 12th March they are straight to the nets at SVRS on Sunday and Monday in preparation for their first match on Tuesday 15th March.  As they are here for 2 weeks, they wanted to explore a little and take a trip over to Barbuda and play some cricket on our twin island.  With the assistance of Sports Tourism, a 20/20 match has been scheduled for Saturday 19th.

During every tour the RLC CC like to play a charity match that assists locally and late last year, Mrs Edwards from Herberts contacted Richie Richardson seeking assistance for her daughter, Josette Edwards, who needs a replacement left symes prosthesis.  When the RLC said they wanted to stage a charity match Richie immediately suggested they nominate Josette and the RLC agreed. 

RLC CC will donate $2US for every run that the AB National B team score against them!!!  SVRS have agreed to donate the floodlit stadium free of charge for the match and to add a really great party atmosphere, Chickie has agreed to come and play for free.  The 10ec entry charge will also be given, in full, to the Edwards.  This will be a great night and an great opportunity to help a young girl to live a little more comfortably.  Food and drink will be on sale too - Great cause and great lime – plus some great cricket!

Thursday 24th March 7:00pm at SVRS
RLC CC Vs Antigua Barbuda National B Team
20/20 Floodlit Charity Match
$10EC admission

Finally, Grasshoppers CC from Ireland will be arriving on Wednesday 23rd for a week before they fly on to Barbados for more cricket! Three matches have been arranged for them together with a session at the SVRS nets on Thursday 24th.

All 3 teams have rest days in between the cricket where they plan to sample many of our activities – from Shirley Heights to the Wadadli Cats to Zip Lining plus a shopping trip or two for the wives and girlfriends!