Natalie Neita-Headley (second right), minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for sport, at yesterday's opening of the Ruddy Williams Centre of Excellence at Melbourne Cricket Club. At right is club president Mark Neita while Ruddy Williams (centre) looks on. - Contributed

A training facility, named in honour of Melbourne Cricket Club stalwart, Ruddy Williams, was yesterday opened by minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for sport, Natalie Neita-Headley, at the club's Courtney Walsh Drive location.

The nursery, which comprises two concrete, and one clay batting strip, as well as secured netting, was made possible as a result of a grant from the West Indies Cricket Board/Digicel Grassroots programme.

The grant, which has become common place in recent years across the region, was also used to partly set up computer and lecture rooms at the club, which has a 122- year history.

"Grassroots programmes like these consistently make a difference," Neita-Headley said during the opening, which coincided with the launch of Melbourne's 30th staging of its annual summer cricket camp.

"These are the incubators. This is where we develop talent. These programmes take players to a higher level, teach them to bat and bowl early, so that they don't develop bad habits. I am therefore pleased that a path this year has been cleared for the opening of the Ruddy Williams Centre of Excellence," Neita-Headley said.

national development

Neita-Headley, who cut a ribbon to officially open the centre in the presence of campers and club officials, also used the occasion to hail Melbourne for their continued contribution to national development.

"I know of many coaches, speakers and motivators, who will take part in the camp, including the Honourable Courtney Walsh, Robert Samuels, Sandra Riettie, Dorothy Hobson, Wavell Hinds who will make both the nursery and the camp an unforgettable experience," she said.

The sports minister went on to congratulate club president Mark Neita and the Melbourne Cricket Club for yet another expression of unquestionable commitment to excellence. Williams has been a member of Melbourne for 50 years. He has served in several capacities at the club, including player, captain, manager, executive and director, and at one stage rose to become chairman of the Jamaica panel of selectors for 10 years. He was a national selector for 13 years.

Williams, who represented Melbourne in the 1960s and 1970s, as chairman of selectors, went on to pick several victorious national teams since 2000, including seven at the regional first-class four-day level, and four at the regional one-day level.

"Ruddy Williams has contributed significantly to the club and the lives of many youngsters in the community for many, many years, and we though that it was fitting that we give him this honour," Neita said.

The camp, which started on Monday, is scheduled to run for two weeks with the Pure Water as the main sponsors. Associate sponsors are Lucozade, Busta Soft Drink, Sherwin-Williams, Jamaica National Foundation, and JMMB Limited.