Israel wins two ICC European Awards

The ICA has started 2004 in fine style with the announcement of the regional winners of the 2003 Annual Development Awards by the ICC. This is the second year of the Annual Awards programme, and the first time all five regions have taken part. The winners were selected by the five regional head offices and have now been forwarded for consideration for the Global Awards in their respective categories.

Israel followed up winning the 2002 ICC / Flicx Community Development Global Award by winning two further regional awards for 2003. ICA Chairman Stanley Perlman won the Lifetime Service Award, testimony to the immeasurable contribution he has made to local, European as well as global cricket, whilst the success that has been achieved at the junior level over the past three years was recognized by the ICA winning the award for the Best Junior Development Initiative. The ICA is honored at having received these awards and thanks the ECC for their continued support.

The Lifetime Service Award is certainly a prestigious achievement for Perlman. From the day he bowled his first ball on a rather dodgy Lod pitch 28 years ago, his name has been synonymous with cricket in Israel. In 35 degree heat, the long haired and bearded Perlman managed to knock out the opening bat with a vicious bumper to the head. Over the past 28 years Stanley Perlman has devoted his life to Israeli cricket. He has done so on a strictly volunteer basis. Hour upon hour have been dedicated to the cause of enhancing Israeli cricket.

From 1978 to 1987 he managed a team in Jerusalem. As a student at the Hebrew University, Perlman set up the university's first ever cricket team. From 1978 to 1987 cricket was played at the University Stadium, solely at the insistence of Perlman. For eleven years he managed the team - organizing the fixtures, arranging practice sessions, equipment and transport. On the field he led his team to three Championship titles. When he moved to Tel Aviv in 1988, once again singled handed he approached the Tel Aviv University authorities and set up the rejuvenated Tel Aviv side which until today remains one of Israel's top teams.

In his first season in Israeli cricket he was awarded his international cap and played against a visiting English side captained by the one and only Basil D'Oliviera. On the second morning of the 2-day match it was Perlman who knocked back D'Oliviera's off stump. From 1976 through to 1998 Perlman played over 70 internationals for Israel. He captained the team to their only two victories in the ICC Trophy - in 1990 against Argentina and in 1994 against Singapore.

In 1994 Perlman was elected as Chairman of the Israel Cricket Association (ICA) - much against his will as he had just returned from the ICC Trophy in Kenya having enjoyed a successful tour as captain, and becoming Chairman meant relinquishing the captaincy. He took over an organization bereft of any business plan and beset by factional jealousies. Immediately, he set about his task of guiding Israel cricket in a world where commercial ties were beginning to have great influence on the game.

Steeped in his belief of equality and socialist principles, Perlman has led the ICA to embark on a youth development programme to reach all the underprivileged communities in Israel. The country is going through severe economic problems but the ICA has ensured that programs and activities in the underprivileged towns, particularly in the southern Negev area, have continued and indeed expanded from month to month. The results speak for themselves - 10 members of the U15 team that won the gold medal at the ECC 2nd division tournament in France in 2003 were from disadvantaged towns.

Apart from his involvement with local cricket, special mention should be made of Stanley Perlman's untiring devotion in promoting the finances of the Associate Member since he was first elected in 1997 as the Associate Member's sole representative on the ICC Finance and Marketing Committee. Besides attending the various committee meetings he dealt with a stream of requests from Associate Member's (until 2002 there was no CFO). His achievements included -

Over the past 25 years he has become a roving ambassador for his country. In Holland, Kenya, Malaysia, Italy or Northern Ireland it has been the familiar voice of Perlman who has strode up proudly to introduce the Israeli team. In 1997 Perlman, as manager of the team to the ICC Trophy in Malaysia, became a diplomat. He was bombarded with press enquiries and TV reports as to the presence of an Israeli sports side in a Moslem country (Malaysia) with no political ties with Israel. For two weeks his speeches and explanations were clear and to the point.

The excellent relations that the Israel Cricket Association has with the ICC, ECC and fellow Associate Members, and indeed Full Members, can be attributed to the tireless effort that Perlman has put in over the past 28 years. His unselfish and dedicated attitude to the game of cricket has endeared him to many.

In September 2000 the ICA launched a development programme, have come to the realization that promoting the game amongst local youth was the only way to ensure it's continuation. Not many people would have thought that three years later, Israel would have won 14 out of 15 games played in European junior tournaments, would have over 1000 children playing cricket on a regular weekly basis, and that cricket has literally changed the lives of many youngsters, particularly those living in development towns in the Negev. But those are the facts, and recognition for these achievements has once again come from the ECC in the form of this award.

The development programme itself is based on attracting as many young players to the game, introducing them to cricket in a fun and creative way at schools. Regional and national tournaments provide much excitement, and junior leagues provide opportunities for more serious players to learn the game. Much attention is placed on preparing junior national squads, providing the very best young players with every opportunity to maximize their potential.

Excellent management and planning ensures the funds are available to implement the programme, but the real strength of the programme lies in the dedication and commitment of those involved in running it, and the passion and enthusiasm for the game they have managed to instill in all the young players, most of whom never knew the game existed until being introduced to it through local promotion activities.