This year's graduates of the Shell Cricket Academy of the St. George's University have heard that consistent success can bring them and the sport greater and better things.

Gary Allen, chief operations officer of the Caribbean Media Corporation, informed the graduates that the region was looking for a good dose of success from its cricketers.

"It starts, however, with you sharing the vision of success and you understanding that good performance is the first step to success," Allen told the 28 students at the Academy's graduation ceremony on Tuesday here.

"Only the best competitive structure and the players giving their best is going to be good enough. If you cultivate discipline, pride and perseverance, you will reap success."

Allen added that though the media is often charged with insularity, he believes the competitive atmosphere that exists in the region makes it seem that way.

"This region judges its representatives, particularly its cricket representatives, by the highest standards," he said.

"The media, therefore, demands of you no less than the best at all times, but you already know the burden of being under their watchful eye. You must understand that the criticisms are not about you personally, but they are systemic."

Rev. Wes Hall, president of the West Indies Cricket Board, challenged the students to remember the Academy is a wonderful opportunity for them to improve themselves and their cricket.

"These three months that you have had at the Academy can be a launching pad for successful careers," he remarked.

"I want you to recognise this. When I was your age, I was playing for West Indies, but I never had any of these privileges that you take for granted."

Kurtis Rudd, brand and communications development manager at Shell, noted the role of sponsors has changed and his company wanted to embrace this with their alliance with the Academy.

"Any business involved in sponsorship and fails to embrace its role as partner and not just benefactor is failing to maximise return on its investment," he said.

"It's no longer about handing over a cheque. You have to become involved with whatever you are sponsoring. This is what Shell, the WICB and the St. George's University are trying to be - a model of sponsorship."

Students from all six traditional territories of the WICB, along with one each from Bermuda, Canada and the United States participated in the intense three-month programme under the directorship of Dr. Rudi Webster.

Guyana's Narsingh Deonarine was voted the Most Improve Player, Bermuda's Stephen Outerbridge was named the Most Improved Batsman, Barbados' Fidel Edwards copped the Most Improved Bowler award.

Other awards went to Jamaica's Brenton Parchment for being the Most Disciplined, as well as St. Vincent & the Grenadines' Kenroy Peters and Guyana's Azib Alli Haniff for the Best Work Ethic.

© CricInfo