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ST JOHN’S, Antigua -- The West Indies Cricket Board at a meeting of the Board of Directors at the weekend formally thanked the departing Chief Executive Officer Dr Ernest Hilaire for his service to West Indies cricket.

Hilaire, after serving the full term of his thee year contract, is preparing to demit office at the end of September.

The Board recognised and paid regard to Hilaire for overseeing:

• the establishment of the Sagicor High Performance Centre

• formulation and commenced the implementation of a 5 year Strategic Plan

• introduction of two new tournaments – Caribbean Twenty20 and WICB Under 17 Tournament

• introduction of High Performance Programmes for Under 15, Under 19 and Women’s team

• introduction of the Profiler Injury Management System which in a computer-based management system for all West Indian players

• WICB Fitness Programme that requires a number of fitness testing camps each year

• implementation of WICB Grassroot Youth Development Programme

• formulation of the Player Relations Programme which provides workshops for players in anti-doping, anti-corruption and lifestyle development of all age groups;

• leading the formulation of a clear and defined WICB Selection Policy

• strengthening of capacity at the WICB Secretariat

• pursuing a new event management model for WICB events

• negotiations of a new media rights sale for 2012-2019;

• negotiations for a franchise-based Twenty20 league.

Hilaire also led the revitalization and revamping of the West Indies A Team, West Indies Women, West Indies Under 19 and Kiddy Cricket programmes.

“At the time of Dr Hilaire’s appointment the Board required a chief executive who would be unyielding and determined; who would have had to face widespread public criticism and revilement as tough decisions needed to be made to set West Indies cricket on a course of positive change,” president of the WICB Dr Julian Hunte recalled.

“Dr Hilaire gave the Board his personal commitment to manage the laying of the foundation of change at the WICB to ensure the future strength of the game,” Hunte added.

“Under Dr Hilaire’s tenure as CEO the formal foundational strength of West Indies cricket has been set in place and West Indies cricket will accrue benefits for generations to come,” he said.

“Overall, it is beyond dispute that West Indies cricket is on better footing for the involvement of Dr Hilaire,” Hunte added.

“We thank, profusely, Dr Hilaire for his services and unyielding commitment to setting West Indies cricket on a progressive pathway and wish him the very best in all his future endeavours,” he concluded.

Hilaire thanked the Board for its support and faith over the three years, particularly during the periods when public criticisms were at a peak. The outgoing CEO also heralded the Board for its groundbreaking commitment to change in West Indies cricket in order to achieve future success.

“I wish to place on record my thanks and gratitude to the Board of Directors for the confidence placed in me in first appointing me to the post of CEO. I outlined then that change will require difficult and unpopular decisions and I will need the support of the Board and three years later I am pleased to note that the Board stood firm in difficult times with all eyes firmly fixed on the prize – future strength of West Indies cricket,” Hilaire said.

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