Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) have garnered a number of awards presented by the sport's world governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The Board announced yesterday that they had earned three ICC Development awards, and for the the second year in a row and the third in fours, they had been handed Best Overall Cricket Development Programme award and Best Spirit of Cricket award in Partnership with UNAIDS and UNICEF.

The BCB have also been recognised as runners-up in the awards list drawn up for Best Cricket Promotion and Marketing Programme and Photo of the Year.

BCB president Reggie Pearman received a Lifetime Service Award.

Best Overall Cricket Development Programme, according to a BCB statement released yesterday, placed emphasis on excellence in all of governance, management, cricket operations and development.

"The Best Junior Cricket Initiative award," said the Board, "relates to a new initiative that has given young players the opportunity to play cricket in an organised competition, therefore enhancing, the long term development and viability of cricket within the community or country.

"In 2008, the Bermuda Cricket Board expanded its youth cricket programme island-wide with over 600 children taking part in our youth leagues and Pee Wee cricket programmes. Since its inception the league has grown significantly with the number of junior cricketers increasing by 300 percent. Over 110 players are enrolled in our national programmes, which included the first ever Bermuda girls' development team, the national Under-13s, Under-15s and Under-19s.

"The Best Spirit of Cricket Award relates to an initiative, activity or event that encapsulates the "spirit of cricket" and /or contributes to the fight against HIV and AIDs. This year the BCB in collaboration with BELCO raised a record amount at the BELCO Cup to donate to a new charity, No Child Goes Without, founded by Grejai Smith.

"No Child Goes Without gives school lunches, school supplies and uniforms to children whose parents would struggle to provide them on their own. The organisation also provides funds to families to offset the cost of summer day camp."

BCB president Pearman said yesterday: "I extremely pleased that the Board's efforts have been recognised once again by the ICC with Bermuda picking up the top number of awards. This area of our programme is rarely recognised in our community but truly is the foundation of our work.

"The BCB has continued to make substantial progress in all facets of our strategic plan. Winning Best Overall Cricket Development Programme for a second year in a row validates our continuous progress to Improve Lives through Cricket. The BCB Junior development programme, which works directly with mobilising the youth, remains one of the BCB's biggest priorities and to win this award is a great achievement for us. I look forward to building upon this success in 2009."

ICC AWARDS

Best Overall Cricket Development Programme – Bermuda 1st

Best Junior Cricket Initiative – Bermuda 1st

Best Spirit for Cricket Initiative – Bermuda 1st

Best Cricket Promotion and Marketing Programme – Bermuda 2nd

Lifetime Service Award – Bermuda (Reginald Pearman) 2nd

Photo of the Year – Bermuda 2nd