Under-23s' tournament just a taster

GUERNSEY can look forward to possibly staging an international tournament every summer. That's the view of Guernsey Cricket Board chairman Dave Piesing after news that the island has been chosen to stage the inaugural European Under-23 Second Division Championship in August.

'I'm hoping we will get a tournament every year,' said Piesing.

The under-23 tournament is likely to comprise just four teams - the two main Channel Islands, Italy and either Gibraltar or France.

The bigger eight-team under-19 championship in July has been awarded to Jersey.

Guernsey had been in the frame to stage the under-19s but simply did not have enough grass pitches available for an event of that size.

'It was always on the cards that we were going to get some European tournaments as up to now only Scotland and Ireland have been able to stage them,' said Piesing.

'We've landed one in the first year.'

Not only will Guernsey's best youngsters benefit from the experience, so will local tourism and it won't cost them a penny.

VisitGuernsey are not required to contribute to the tournament costs, the tab being picked up by the ECC and the visiting teams.

Next year promises to be another busy one for the GCB.

'We've the likelihood of France coming over for a triangular tournament with Jersey.

'One or both of Ireland A and Scotland A are also coming over.

'Both want to link up with Guernsey and Jersey, which is fantastic.'

Meanwhile, the Channel Islands move ever closer to becoming associate rather than affiliate members of the International Cricket Council.

Guernsey and Jersey's applications have received full support from the European region and are now being submitted to the ICC before their meeting next month.

Ultimately, the final decision rests with the existing global associate members at the ICC annual meeting in July.

A positive decision is all but guaranteed, bringing with it increased riches for the two islands.

Piesing says it was impossible to gauge accurately the amount of annual ICC funding Guernsey could look forward to, but it would be in the range of £40-60,000 per annum.

Associate members receive between them 25% of the profits from the previous World Cup competition so, unlike, the problem-hit 2003 event in South Africa and Zimbabwe, the two Channel Islands will keep everything crossed that next year's event in the Caribbean is a cash bonanza.

Even if it is, though, Guernsey can only look on with the greenest of jealous eyes at the sort of money Bermuda are receiving.

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Guernsey have competed well against Bermuda in three matches over the last two summers as part of the latter's preparations for playing at the 2007 World Cup.

But while Guernsey scrape by on ECB funding and sponsorship deals, Bermuda have enough cash to allow all their best players to become full-time professionals for a large slice of the year.

Boosted by an $11m. grant from their own government and $500,000 from the ICC's high-development programme, the Bermudians not only have their work salaries covered by their board, but players have negotiated a five-month match fee and bonus system worth in the region of $20,000 a man.

It makes the Bermudians by far and away the richest of all the associate member countries and in a different league from the likes of Guernsey.

'They are in a unique position,' said Piesing. 'It is quite remarkable, really.'

Paying our best players is never likely to happen, although Piesing can see a situation whereby ICC funding could be used in proven cases of hardship.

As annual overseas tours become the norm, Piesing said: 'We want to make sure the players aren't excluded because they can't afford it.'

Guernsey's slice of the ICC pie, Piesing says, will go on groundsmanship, youth development and coaching.