By Brandon Corlette
Colin Bynoe Jr. is now the first accredited cricket agent in Guyana. Bynoe is working through the England Cricket Board (ECB) and is heading operations for Gravity Sports in the Caribbean and Americas.
Gravity Sports represent Caribbean players such as Roshon Primus, Alick Athanaze, Kofi James, Jonathan Foo, Keon Joseph, Anthony Bramble, Onjae Amory and Anderson Amurdan.
Asked what has motivated him to take the job as a cricket agent, Bynoe said: “The love for the sport and many skills I possess spurred my interest to become a cricket agent.”
“Knowing the intricacies of the cricketing world will assist in your success,” he added. “I thought about my strengths, I started to research possible areas that would align with those strengths and one that would be able to benefit others (athletes). That’s how the idea of becoming a cricket agent was birthed years ago.”
Bynoe describes the job of a cricket agent as tricky, while disclosing some of the areas of focus. “The path to becoming an accredited cricket agent is fairly tricky. It took me a while…,” he said. “Everything is done through England and Wales Cricket Board, where you go through a strict registration process. Prospective agents sit an agency exam; when successful, you go through a few more steps, then (you are) presented as an ECB- registered agent.”
Regarding his responsibilities as a cricket agent, Bynoe noted that the groundwork is fundamental. “You may have to make interesting decisions. With the packed cricket calendar around the world, laying the groundwork is fundamental. You have to pitch your client to coaches, captains, analysts, owners, and anyone with significant influence with selection. It’s about targeting the right people, but in the right way,” Bynoe explained.
“With the way the game has evolved, the key players would want to see how a particular player has done in the last three years; how he does against left-arm spin, leg-spin etc. In addition, game context is crucial when it comes to the type of player a particular team may be looking for. Is it worth pushing a spinner to a team which has three similar local options? Would this opportunity push your client’s career further? Those are some of the interesting decisions that I may have to make,” he disclosed.
As a cricket agent, Bynoe is responsible for assisting his clients on and off the field. Among his duties are overseas placement, negotiating cricket contracts, sourcing cricket endorsement and sponsorship deals, marketing the client’s image to prospective teams and coaches.
Cricketers who are desirous of 24-hour representation and an agency which has their best interest at heart should consider engaging Gravity Sports. Colin Bynoe has been working with Gravity Sports since being approved as an ECB agent, and he has been heavily involved with onboarding some of the best young talent in the West Indies.
Specifically, Bynoe helps with the day-to-day management of players, including sourcing opportunities, and marketing them to a wider audience.
“His desire and commitment to ensure that players are being well represented is second to none, and we are very grateful and appreciative of all of Colin’s efforts,” Eathan Brookes, Director & EXB PCA Approved Cricket Agent, highlighted. (GTimes)