Among the many hats Colin Borde wears, one of them is that of the manager of the T&T Red Steel T20 cricket franchise (as he has been since the inaugural tournament in 2013). The other hats he wears include or have included sports management consultant, former manager of T&T’s national team in regional cricket, the West Indies A team and the President’s XI, holder of a commercial pilot’s licence, former TTCB executive. He is also a real estate agent/consultant and currently involved in a project to maintain a viable sports Website, ttsportslink.com
The Red Steel is captained by IPL star player Dwayne Bravo and has legendary South African allrounder Jacques Kallis as well as Trinis Samuel Badree, Darren Bravo and Kevon Cooper among its ranks. The other franchises competing around the region are the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, Barbados Tridents, St Lucia Zouks and St Kitts/Nevis Patriots. The Guyana and Barbados teams are captained by Trinidadians Denesh Ramdin and Kieron Pollard respectively, taking franchise cricket beyond the boundary of country borders in terms of team representation.
News that Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has bought into T&T’s Red Steel franchise for the upcoming third edition of the CPL (Caribbean Premier League) has set tongues wagging in the cricketing fraternity and with fans alike. Khan is the owner of the hugely popular IPL (Indian Premier League) team KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) that boasts among its players Trinidad’s mystery spin bowler Sunil Narine.
Borde chatted with the Sunday Guardian in this installment of the Getting Personal series about franchise and the changing face of cricket here and around the world.
Why has franchise cricket become so popular?
The format of T20 in particular is exciting, fast paced, and commercially viable. It is the way of the future. It affords the public and TV audiences across the globe an eventful evening of glitz, high levels of skill, and a mix of international superstars in a high intensity environment. Adrenaline for all.
How does it work and what goes on behind the scenes?
Each franchise is owned by private organisations that invest heavily in the players and administration of the game. The franchise then has strict guidelines as to how it should operate in keeping with commercial best practices. There is a salary cap for a team in which each team has to be able to manoeuvre to get the best players. An orderly process for bidding in a draft is set up and you pick players based on a number that you have pulled randomly. This system affords each team an even chance of acquiring players.
Behind the scenes is very hectic with sponsorship acquisitions, TV rights negotiations, ground accommodation, security, ticketing, marketing, and branding deals to be hammered out. Player contracts, clothing deals, and equipment for teams. Also, Espn arrangements, government and custom waivers for an array of production hardware.
Of course, there is also the aspect of bidding for games in countries for finals etc. It’s a full house of experts that work as a team to ensure that all areas are covered so that the public gets its monies worth of entertainment.
This is your third year in the manager’s position of T&T’s Red Steel in what has become a global phenomenon in the sport of cricket…that of franchise cricket. Who and what inspire you, and tell us a bit about your role and responsibilities. My parents have inspired and encouraged me to dream big, to share your dreams and never give up. They are lovers of the game of cricket.
My role in the team is primarily to ensure that all operations are coordinated to effect a focused-driven, comfortable environment which lends itself to the on-field expression of ability and professionalism by players and staff alike. This may include but not be limited to organisational structure, defined roles within team, logistics, media management, travel and hotel arrangements, sponsorship commitments, team kits and sponsors, television, security, team training programmes, player and technical staff contracts, monitoring and evaluation of staff and players…ultimately ensuring that the team is run smoothly and with guidelines that facilitate a harmonious environment for the players to function at their peak for sustained periods of time.
What are the challenges you face in your current cricket managerial role?
The Caribbean's laid-back approach can work for or against you. TV is time. We need to appreciate the value of being on time more!
What is unique about the CPL compared to the other T20 franchise differences in the various franchise-based competitions around the world, such as the IPL and the Big Bash league in Australia?
CPL is played in the beautiful Caribbean with beautiful, warm, rhythmic, diverse people who know how to have a great time and enjoy the moment. We invented party!
How does franchise cricket help the West Indies in terms of cricket especially?
The influx of international players brings and forges new relationships and approaches to the game that can only open up the minds of local players. The knowledge shared by people of the globe helps both the local and foreign players to grow. The commercial side affords a rekindling of efforts by corporate Caribbean to once again engage in partnering with a sport that was seen to be dying in the eyes of the fans. The CPL has brought cricket back to life in the Caribbean. Just ask the fans.
Is T20 cricket the beginning of the end of West Indies Test cricket and regional competitions in the longer versions of the game?
Not at all! All three formats can co-exist and thrive together. Each compliments the other in the approach towards playing it and gives the audience choices on the cricket menu.
What do you consider as your best cricketing achievement thus far?
Definitely as the manager of the T&T national team to the Champions League 2009 final in India. We didn’t have corporate assistance and were limited in funding and limited in international experience. But we were unlimited in belief and determination to make T&T proud.
Your favourite cricketers you have seen, no T&T Red Steel players eh!
Roy Fredericks, Deryck Murray, Alvin Kallicharran, Brian Lara and Shane Warne.
What goals do you still have?
To qualify for Champions League this year and go on to win it. To ensure that West Indies cricket gets back to its rightful place at the top of the world.
To help to develop T&T as a nation. To become a better individual through helping people. To live long and prosper (shows Star Trek Dr Spock’s sign and laughs heartily).
Describe yourself in two words, one beginning with C, the other with B, your initials.
Hmmm….Competitive and Benevolent, I’d say. Hope those who read this and know me would agree!