Cricket West Indies, the governing body for the sport across the Caribbean region, has announced an ambitious long-term plan to establish a purpose-built, full-time cricket academy based at its Antigua campus. This initiative marks a significant strategic shift from the organization’s previous occasional training camps and ad-hoc development programs, aiming to create a sustained hub for nurturing young cricketing talent from across all member territories.
The proposed academy will offer year-round training facilities, professional coaching staff, sports science support, and academic education tailored to young aspiring players, addressing a long-standing gap in the region’s cricket development infrastructure. Antigua was selected as the permanent site for its existing sporting facilities, favorable climate for outdoor training year-round, and central geographic location that makes it accessible to prospects from across the Caribbean.
Officials from Cricket West Indies have emphasized that the full-time academy is designed to reverse the region’s recent declining performance in international cricket by building a stronger pipeline of homegrown talent. The project is expected to attract partnerships with international cricket governing bodies and private sponsors, with plans to open the academy’s doors to its first cohort of players within the next three years. Local stakeholders in Antigua have welcomed the plan, noting that it will also boost tourism and create local jobs in the sports and hospitality sectors.