Cricket West Indies (CWI) recently launched a dedicated Women’s Academy High-Performance Skills Camp, which brought together the region’s most promising female cricket talent at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. The recently-concluded nine-day intensive programme, saw 15 Academy and franchise-contracted players work alongside an experienced coaching team led by West Indies Senior Women’s Head Coach Shane Deitz.

The initiative brought together twelve CWI Academy-contracted players and three franchise-contracted players: Earnisha Fontaine (Dominica), Nerissa Crafton (St. Lucia), and Sheneta Grimmond (Guyana).

Additionally, eight CWI Pathway Coaches from across the region will participate in the camp, along with Sam Kirnon, a coach from Dominica, who was specially nominated by the Windward Islands Cricket Board to attend. Ryan Austin, West Indies senior Women’s assistant coach, has also lent his expertise to support the technical development of both players and pathway coaches.

CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe hailed the initiative.

"This Women’s Academy High-Performance Camp focuses on alignment. It represents a crucial investment in the future of West Indies cricket by uniting our most promising talent and regional coaches with the Women’s head coach, establishing a cohesive approach to player development that aligns with the senior team brand," he said.

"The technical skills these young women will develop here are important, but the ability of our regional coaches to support our women players in their territories is equally valuable. Our vision is to build a sustainable pathway that consistently produces world-class cricketers capable of competing at the highest level, and initiatives like this are fundamental to that strategy," Bascombe added.

The training schedule focused on several key areas, divided between specialist batting, bowling, and fielding sessions. Players engaged in scenario-based training to improve decision-making under pressure, game awareness, and tactical play. There were also strength and conditioning sessions designed to improve fitness and prevent injuries.

The camp aimed to develop technical cricket abilities as well as the mental resilience and tactical understanding needed to succeed at higher levels of competition.

Pathway coaches were exposed to progressive training methodologies as they provided targeted skill development for the players.

It was a collaborative environment where coaches and players engaged in mentorship and knowledge-sharing, with the common goal of enhancing the developmental pathway that will benefit women’s cricket across the region for years to come.

The camp concluded with competitive internal matches, which allowed players to apply their training in match situations while giving coaches the opportunity to assess their progress.

CWI Coaches: Shane Deitz, Ryan Austin

CWI Pathway Coaches: Ulrick Batson, Tremayne Smartt, Milton Thomas, Percy Daniel, Pernel Watley, Merissa Aguilleira, Cleton Burnett, Dalton Polius

Invited Players: Asabi Callender, Jahzara Claxton, Nerissa Crafton, Earnisha Fontaine, Realeanna Grimmond, Sheneta Grimmond, Brianna Harricharan, Shawnisha Hector, Trishan Holder, Djenaba Joseph, Nyia Latchman, Samara Ramnath, Shunelle Sawh, Steffie Soogrim, Kate Wilmott