The front cover for the 2020 / 2021 Dominica phone directory features professional cricketer Tyrone Theophile exercising with his son Tylon.

Tyrone was brought up in Pointe Michel by his grandmother and mother.

As a child, he was in love with football, but also enjoyed playing soft ball cricket for his village which was how former Dominican cricketer Thomas Kentish discovered him.

Tyrone credits Kentish, and others, for his cricket career. “Thomas was really my drive into the cricketing world. He was after me since primary school,” Tyrone says.

“At some stage, I had to make a choice between football and cricket. I chose cricket because I knew I could make an income and build a career.”

In 2001, after joining the Under 13s Dominican cricket team, Tyrone’s skills as a wicketkeeper / batsman quickly progressed.

In 2007 he made the decision to leave Dominica to play cricket in England, eventually joining Harrow Town Cricket Club and playing in the Middlesex County League in 2008 / 2009.

Tyrone believes his time in England gave his career the impetus it needed to really take off. In 2009, he was called up for the Windward Islands although he didn’t get his introduction to first-class cricket until January 2010.

Recalling his debut in Jamaica, Tyrone says: “I was a bit nervous, but my opening partner Devon Smith took me under his wing. I spoke to him and Darren Sammy the night before, and they built my confidence.

“My teammates, friends and family really motivated me and gave me lots of support before the game.”

Tyrone has been a regular member of the Windwards side for the past few years and still has his heart set on earning a place in the West Indies side.

He keeps himself in contention with a fitness regime which involves push-ups, sit-ups, and long-distance runs. He also eats fruit for breakfast and loves ground provisions such as green banana, dasheen, and plantain.

When asked for some advice on keeping fit, Tyrone says: “At the end of the day it’s your body and your health. If you want to live as long as possible, you need to stay healthy.

“I believe exercise is key, along with good eating habits. Just take the necessary steps, and you’ll have a longer lifespan.”

Get your copy of the 2020 / 2021 Dominica phone directory to read more articles on how to stay fit and healthy.