Vernon Springer, Public Relations and Operations Manager of Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, says the franchise is aiming to spread its wings across all aspects of cricket on the island, and this includes possibly entering a team in next year’s Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).

The Kris Persaud-owned Antigua and Barbuda Falcons were earlier this year announced as the latest addition to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), replacing Jamaica Tallawahs for the upcoming edition of the T20 tournament, which gets under way later this month.

“We are also making a pitch as well, the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, to have our own women’s team next year, 2025, and also to host the Women’s Premier League right here in Antigua and Barbuda. So, it’s not just about the men but a combination of making sure that others benefit, and, like Sir Viv [Richards] said, everybody has to come on board,” Springer said. 

The women’s Caribbean Premier League, which started in 2022, has only fielded three teams—Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors, and Trinbago Knight Riders—over the years. As such, the addition of a Falcons women’s outfit would be a welcome addition to the tournament.

On that note, Springer added that there will be opportunities for players in general to benefit from the franchise being based in Antigua and Barbuda.

“The Leeward Islands Hurricanes will be in Antigua and Barbuda. In fact, they will start training here to prepare for the Super50. So that is a next opportunity for young players in Antigua and Barbuda and around the region to make sure that we now have the Leeward Islands Hurricanes franchise, the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, and you have Cricket West Indies headquarters, which is based here,” Springer reasoned.

This year’s 12th edition of the CPL is scheduled to begin on August 29, with Antigua and Barbuda Falcons taking on St. Kitts Nevis Patriots at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium. They will then face reigning champions Guyana Amazon Warriors a day later, also at the North Sound venue. Both matches will start at 7:00 pm.

The Falcons will then face Barbados Royals on September 30 at the same venue, starting at 10:00 am, before crossing swords with St. Lucia Kings on September 3 at 7:00 pm, also at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) squads for the 2024 season have been confirmed following the completion of the player draft on Monday.

Kyle Mayers was the first pick of the draft, joining the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. He will be joined at the Patriots by Mikyle Louis, Ryan John and Veerasammy Permaul. 

The Saint Lucia Kings welcome USA international Aaron Jones who qualifies to play at the CPL as a local player as he has a Barbados passport. The Kings have also selected Khari Campbell, Johann Jeremiah, Mikkel Govia and Akeem Auguste. 

The Barbados Royals have picked Kadeem Alleyne, Isai Thorne and Nathan Sealy to complete their squad while the Guyana Amazon Warriors have selected all-rounders Raymon Reifer and Ronaldo Alimohamed. Matthew Nandu also rejoins the Warriors having been selected in the draft. 

The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons picked five players at the draft with Roshon Primus, Justin Greaves, Jahmar Hamilton, Teddy Bishop and Kofi James joining the newest CPL team. The Trinbago Knight Riders selected Nathan Edward and Shaquere Parris in their emerging player spots.

The 2024 season gets underway on the 29 August with the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons taking on the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium. The tournament will also visit St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana. 

The full squads are as follows:

Barbados Royals: Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, David Miller, Quinton De Kock, Maheesh Theekshana, Alick Athanaze, Naveen-ul-Haq, Obed McCoy, Kevin Wickham, Keshav Maharaj, Kadeem Alleyne, Rahkeem Cornwall, Isai Thorne, Nathan Sealy, Nyeem Young, Rivaldo Clarke, Ramon Simmonds

Guyana Amazon Warriors: Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Saim Ayub, Shai Hope, Romario Shepherd, Azam Khan, Gudakesh Motie, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Keemo Paul, Dwaine Pretorius, Kevin Sinclair, Raymon Reifer, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Shamar Joseph, Kevlon Anderson, Matthew Nandu, Junior Sinclair

Antigua & Barbuda Falcons: Imad Wasim, Brandon King, Fabian Allen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Amir, Chris Green, Fakhar Zaman, Roshon Primus, Justin Greaves, Hayden Walsh, Jahmar Hamilton, Teddy Bishop, Kofi James, Shamar Springer, Kelvin Pitman, Jewel Andrew, Joshua James

St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots: Kyle Mayers, Wanindu Hasaranga, Rilee Rossouw, Sherfane Rutherford, Evin Lewis, Sikandar Raza, Nuwan Thushara, Andre Fletcher, Tristan Stubbs, Dominic Drakes, Odean Smith, Mikyle Louis, Joshua Da Silva, Veerasammy Permaul, Ryan John, Ashmead Nedd, Johann Layne

Saint Lucia Kings: Heinrich Klaasen, Faf Du Plessis, Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Noor Ahmad, David Wiese, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Matthew Forde, Aaron Jones, Khary Pierre, Khari Campbell, Johann Jeremiah, Shadrack Descarte, Mikkel Govia, McKenny Clarke, Akeem Auguste

Trinbago Knight Riders: Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Tim David, Akeal Hosein, Jason Roy, Dwayne Bravo, Josh Little, Waqar Salamkheil, Jayden Seales, Ali Khan, Mark Deyal, Keacy Carty, Terrence Hinds, Nathan Edward, Shaquere Parris