Sweeney, New Floyd Bennett President

By Orin Davidson
The Floyd Bennett Cricket Club has reshuffled its executive with Roy Sweeney replacing Peter Jolly as president following an impromptu election on Thursday night.

Roy Sweeney Ritchhie Birson

Sweeney was previously the vice president while Jolly is now the treasurer and Ritchie Birson will take over as the new vice president. Gordon Puran is the secretary.

Among its plans the Club hopes to step up the development of the cricket facility after successfully strengthening the terms of its lease.

Sweeney said they have the freedom now to build a clubhouse, fence the facility, install utilities and sell tickets on site for commercial events.

The new President also hopes to have the outfield re-laid and build a turf pitch in the near future.

According to Sweeney the facility is best equipped to become New York's first cricket stadium, and they expect to have full rights to expand the development with more buildings within one year.

"The soon to be opened new stadium in Florida should be an inspiration for us to have our own," Sweeney pointed out, referring to the Broward County facility that will be officially opened shortly.

He said they are working on attracting investors and expand the club membership.

"We have to get the politicians involved also, because it is easier to get things done through Government assistance," he added.

Sweeney who is also President of the United States Cricket Promoters Association, said he is confident that with his political contacts the club will develop.

Floyd Bennett Club was part of the promotion which brought the Brian Lara led West Indies team to New York last year for two games against a representative United States team.

The games were staged at Floyd Bennett field but the inability to sell tickers at the gate affected the revenue earned.
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