`What do they know of cricket, who only cricket know`?
A tribute to my friend and mentor, Courtney Waddell

The famous West Indian writer, CLR James, used this quote from Kipling, as a challenge to describe cricket’s many graces from a historical and social context, whilst attesting to the strong influence the sport had on his own life. His book, Beyond a Boundary, remains one of finest ever written on the game, and indeed, all sports. In the life of our dear, parted friend, we see CLR James’s tribute, more powerfully embodied in the way Courtney lived and played, which were like two inseparable twins, drawn to nourish each other. What finer or fitting honour can we bestow upon our friend, for how can we separate the cricketer from the man, without doing a disservice to both?

Courtney embodied cricket’s core values of social justice, fair play and inclusiveness, in his chosen vocation. He was a teacher of foreign languages, to youth at the AF Adderley Junior High School, in New Providence, The Bahamas. What finer way is there, to teach our citizens and future leaders, the value of inter-cultural appreciation, tolerance and collaboration?

I recall our first meeting during net practice at Haynes Oval in Nassau,The Bahamas, where Courtney was indulging just a handful of cricketing hopefuls, in a country where the sport is in decline, to that nation’s great loss. Courtney’s infectious smile and warm welcome, overcame any trepidation that a sensible man should have, in facing young West Indian fast bowlers.

His humility, this openness to engage and validate people at all levels of society, whatever their ability, made it possible for Courtney to deliver his central message: `we can each and all get there, together’. Cricket provided the means and we often spoke of the responsibilities of coaches, as role models to disenfranchised youth.

Our team, Paradise CC, was more like a family, especially to the younger members of the club. One told me that the team provided the `only real sense of family’ that he had known. I, in turn, was inspired by Courtney to become a qualified coach and I continue to play and practice my art, in other parts of the world. Thus, we see the greater impact of Courtney’s life and his works, which will continue in the outward-bound circles of his legacy.

As a leader, his highly cultivated batting artistry set the tone, which would commence with an easy swagger to the crease, culminating in that nimble footwork that begets majestic stroke-play. One of the finest hookers and pullers of the ball that I have seen, Courts, as he was sometimes known, would giggle like a teenager, whilst admitting that he loved it when they `drop it short in the mud’. In seeing him at the crease, one had the feeling that something special was about to happen and, often it did. I am fortunate to have seen many a well-timed off-drive, launched with brutal ambition towards the ramparts of Fort Charlotte, perched high up on the hill.

This ease of movement and timing, gave him the look of a much younger man, especially when keeping wickets. Courtney was proud to sport his broken finger, a hard-won trophy begotten by keeping wickets to the likes of Colin Croft, the West Indian fast bowler, and a fellow Guyanian.

These physical attributes, these prodigious performances, are the outpourings of a soul, dedicated to the betterment of mind, body and God-given talents, for all those it touched. They are also of a timeless quality, so we know that Courtney’s innings continues towards the eternal perfection we all seek. Such clichés are unavoidable, but true, when one ponders the life of a man, who did much to advance the spirit of fair play, in all arenas of his life.

He was my friend.