My first feature is West Indies Cricket Team bowling all-rounder Garey Mathurin. Garey recently became an honorary member of the West Indies Cricket Team and he agreed to sit and share his story with me about his journey as a cricketer, and on achieving his childhood dream. I believe that he is a great example for young men and women who are pursuing their dreams to remain focus and to never give up. He is the epitome of what hard work, discipline and determination can do.

 

Garey Mathurin- West Indies Cricket Team bowling all rounder

 

Lovee: Hi Garey, thank you for being my first feature!

 

Garey: (Smiles shyly) My pleasure…

 

Lovee: And thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with me. I know there are many young people out there who will be inspired by your story and leadership.

 

Garey: (Smiles) You´re welcome, we are all here to inspire each other, and I’m happy to do that for others.

 

Lovee: And you are an inspiration to many. Ok, so tell me a little more about yourself?

 

Garey: Well, as you already know, my name is Gary Mathurin, age 28 from the rural community of Mon Repos, Micoud in Saint Lucia. I am a bowling all-rounder with the West Indies Cricket team since September 23, 2011. Prior to making the West Indies team, I played with the Saint Lucia under 15 cricket team. I first made the under 15 team at age eleven. I also made the Windward Island under 15 team from the age of 12-15, and then moved to the Windward Island under nineteen team also, and then on to the Saint Lucia National senior cricket team at age fifteen, which I am Captain of presently.

 

Lovee: Wow, you´ve been busy…

 

Garey: Laughs…

 

Lovee:I know you´ve only recently joined the West Indies Cricket Team, but have you set any records, or broken any?

 

Garey: Surprisingly yes, I have the record for best International T20 bowling figures in the world which is four overs, three wickets for nine runs, and that was on my debut for the WICT, which I also got the man of the match for that performance.

 

Lovee:  (High five) That´s pretty impressive…

 

Garey: (Smiles Shyly) Thank you.

 

Lovee: Growing up, did you always know that you wanted to be a cricketer?

 

Garey: Yes, I always knew that I wanted to play cricket. As a child I did everything in reference to cricket. I always had a ball in my hand. I would play with my older brothers and friends in the community all the time. Although they hardly allowed me to play because they said I was too small, so I was a fielder most of the times until I made the under fifteen team at age of eleven and then they started taking me seriously. (laughs)

 

Lovee: (laughs) I bet they did! Where did you train for cricket?

 

Garey: My hometown of Mon Repos is very hands on for cricket, so there were avenues where I could go to play and practice. I would train on the Mon Repos playing field and at the Mindoo Phillip Park in Castries.

 

Lovee: Mindoo Phillip Park? That´s a long way from home…

 

Garey: (Smiles) I know, it was difficult to get to the Mindoo Phillip Park for practice because of financial difficulties. But, I always managed to find my way so I could practice. Sometimes I didn´t know how I would find my way back home. Usually my mom would give me bus fare for one way and I would usually find my way back by some Good Samaritan or with the aid of my coach Bryan Calixte, who have not only been a coach, but a good friend and father figure to me.

 

Lovee: This just goes to show how passionate and determined you were about the sport.

 

Garey Mathurin and I at interview location in West Palm Beach Florida

 

Garey: I was, sometimes I went against my mother´s wishes because you know, like all mother´s, she was worried about the journey, especially since the Mindoo Phillip Park is in one of the roughest neighborhoods on the island, but nothing got in my way. I wanted to play cricket and I made it happen.

 

Lovee: I bet she was. Were you surprised when you made the West Indies Team?

 

Garey: hmmm (laughs) under the circumstances in which I got picked it was a bit surprising…

 

Lovee: Really? Tell me about that…

 

Garey: You see, at the time I was playing professionally for a club in Canada, and then I got a call to come down to play because one of the guys on the West Indies Team at the time wasn´t fit enough to play, so I took the next plane out and head to the Caribbean so I could depart for England to play.

 

Lovee: (Smiling) you know what they say, preparation plus luck equals opportunity! How did you feel?

 

Garey: I was really lucky and prepared! It was a really great feeling. It is one of the highest honors to play for the West Indies Cricket Team so I was ecstatic, and I was especially excited about showing my talents, because it is something that I worked extremely hard for all my life.

 

Lovee: I can imagine. Did you ever think that your dream would one day be a reality?

 

Garey: Honestly, sometimes I doubted that it would ever come true,  because there were so many obstacles, but when the obstacles came, I just kept focused and kept working hard, kept training and kept my morale up.

 

Lovee: Focus and discipline is so important. What was your family and community reaction to your selection?

 

Garey: My community was very proud, and I could see their enthusiasm and excitement. Everyone turned out for the homecoming for me, and I know my family was extremely proud. It was a really wonderful feeling to be so appreciated.

 

Lovee: It´s such a great feeling when you are embraced and accepted by your own isn´t it?

 

Garey: Oh yes!

 

Lovee: What are some of the obstacles that you had to overcome while trying to achieve your dream?

 

Garey: What some people might not know is that making the West Indies team is a very difficult process, especially coming from the smaller Islands. I was on the Windward Island reserves for six years, so I had to wait for my turn to showcase my talent for the West Indies selectors, and even after waiting so long you are not sure if you will be selected. It´s all about perseverance and having patience to acquire what you need to in life. I also had a lot of people telling me that I should give up and get a nine to five job, so there was a lot of pressure, but it was something i was passionate about, so I pursued it anyway. I don’t allow other people to tell me what I can and cannot do.

 

Lovee: Good for you! You have to believe in yourself, because so many people are easily influenced by what other people think or say and lose focus and track on their goals.

 

Garey: Man, if I had to listen to people, I would have given up a long time ago.

 

Lovee: I´m so happy you listened to your own voice. Cricket is for the Caribbean what soccer is to England and what basketball is to the US. Is it a lot of pressure for you considering the West Indies has not has a winning streak for some time?

 

Garey: Actually, when we play is not something that I think about, I just try to represent the Caribbean and Saint Lucia the best way I can so people can see that I’m giving it my all, and representing us well.

 

Lovee: That´s a great attitude! How do you handle the pressure?

 

Garey:  I think it´s something that comes with the territory and as a professional, it´s something that I will have to go through, so I just do my job to the best of my ability and remain focused.

 

Lovee: Focus is so important, if we are not careful where we place our focus, it is so easy to distracted and off track. Now, there is a lot of criticism and backlash that comes with the game of cricket, and we both know that our people can be a bit harsh with their criticisms. How do you and your team members keep you´ll morale up and deal with it?

 

Garey: I have benefited a lot playing with Darren Sammy, who is presently the Captain of the West Indies team and a friend, and since he has been through it before, it has helped me with dealing with that aspect of it and with keeping the morale of our team up.

 

Garey with West Indies Cricket Team Captain Darren Sammy (left) and Johnson Charles


 

Lovee: As a sportsman, you are required to have a great amount of discipline and focus, I know that there can be a lot of distractions out there, how do you remain focus?

 

Garey: As a child, I have always been disciplined and remained a consummate professional, so it´s something instilled within me from a tender age, so it´s not so difficult for me to keep focus and my professionalism intact.

 

Lovee: There are something’s that cannot be achieved overnight and that´s one of them…What would you say is the biggest distraction for you in the game of cricket?

 

Garey: Nothing takes away from my focus or distracts me from cricket. Cricket is my main focus.

 

Lovee: I know that Darren Sammy has been getting some tough criticisms lately on his performance as Captain of the West Indies Cricket Team, do you think that the criticisms are fair?

 

Garey: I don´t pay attention to the criticisms from others when it comes to Darren. I just know that he is one of the most focused and competitive cricketers out there, and gives 110% all the time. He has the West Indies Cricket at heart, so I think we just need to rally around him and keep having faith in his abilities, because it is not an easy task being a Captain. Also, he is still very young, so it´s a great accomplishment at his age and a lot to undertake.

 

Lovee: You are both from the same area, of the same age, and played together as kids, and have managed to achieve great success in the sport, how would you describe him as a Captain?

 

Garey: I think he is one of the best Captains that I have played with. As a captain he makes his players feel comfortable and let them express themselves, but overall in terms of his leadership qualities he is a great leader. He is focused, calm, respectful, and extremely discipline.

 

Lovee: I know that in Saint Lucia, there aren´t many avenues for sportsmen or young people interested in sports. What would you like to see improve in the sporting sector in St. Lucia, especially for the young people?

 

Garey: Firstly, I don’t think overall that we play enough sports in Saint Lucia to help train and develop our athletes to compete on a regional and international stage; there is very little competition, even locally. And although there are avenues, we need more facilities and trained professionals. We don’t compete enough on the local level to prepare our players to compete. Perhaps it has to deal with sponsorship and financing. It is something that our current Government needs to look into.

 

Lovee: We now have a new Minister for youth and sports. What advice would you give to him as he begins his new post?

 

Garey: To pay more attention to the youth and making his presence known when he can by supporting them.

 

Lovee: Are you involved in any volunteer and nonprofit organizations?

 

Garey: Yes, I work with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to do coaching around various schools around the island, and I also do motivational speeches.

 

Lovee: That´s great! It´s so important to give back…What advice would you give to the young people who are pursuing a career in sports in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean?

 

Garey: Just to stay true to what you want to accomplish and don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do it. Remain focused, discipline and practice, practice, practice! It really makes perfect. Hard work always pays off. And don’t give up!

 

Lovee: Cheers to that!…(smiles)

 

Garey: Cheers! (laughs)

 

Lovee: So Garey, it´s a New Year! What is/are your resolution/s for 2012?

 

Garey: What it is every year-To continue doing my best and challenging myself.

 

Lovee: I like that! (Smiles)What is your hobby and favorite thing to do outside of cricket?

 

Garey: Travelling, I enjoy seeing new places and being with my family and the people I love.

 

Lovee: Travelling, yeah! (laughs) I see we have one thing in common! (laughs)

 

Garey: laughs…

 

Lovee: Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Continue to lead by example and being an inspiration to others, and continue to make Saint Lucia proud. I wish you all the best this year and in the years to come.

 

Garey: Thank you, I wish the same for you.