By Loshaun Dixon
Born in Curaçao, Noel Guishard moved to St. Kitts at the age of two, settling in Molineaux, the rural community that would shape his character and define his lifelong commitment to cricket. Over the years, Guishard became far more than a player — he emerged as a staple of the Molineaux community and one of St. Kitts’ most enduring cricket servants.
Cricket was the dominant sport of the time, and Guishard’s journey began naturally at the Molineaux All Age School. It was on those school grounds that he first developed his skills, playing intensely competitive cricket during his formative years and laying the foundation for a career built on discipline and determination.
With Molineaux lacking a First Division team, Guishard was required to pursue opportunities elsewhere. ‘Guish’ as he is known by many first represented Renown Cricket Club in St. Kitts before moving on to Verchilds area and playing for Eskimos, experiences that exposed him to higher levels of competition and helped refine his craft. He had to travel from Molineaux daily in order to represent those teams, at a time when resources were not as plentiful.
One of his greatest challenges, Guishard has recalled, was being from the countryside and having to confront the stigma that often accompanied it. While that reality affected many players of his generation, his determination to succeed at any cost placed him in strong standing. He also faced stiff competition from other off-spinners during an era when places were fiercely contested.
Guishard first represented St. Kitts in 1978, before making his first-class debut in January 1981 for the Leeward Islands against the Windward Islands. On debut, he delivered an immediate impact, claiming 2/42 and 5/50 to help secure a seven-wicket victory. A few weeks later, he represented the Combined Islands in the 1980–81 Shell Shield, the final season before the Leewards and Windwards fielded separate teams.
During the 1981–82 season, Guishard recorded his best first-class bowling figures, taking 6/33 against the Windwards. His highest first-class score came in the 1983–84 season, when he struck 85 against Barbados — an innings he has described as one of his favourites, played when the team was in trouble and required a rebuilding effort against formidable opposition.
Guishard remained a regular in the Leewards side throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s, playing his final first-class matches during the 1991–92 season, aged 34. He finished with a first-class batting average of 22.84, including seven half-centuries, and a bowling average of 29.68. He is also believed to be the only cricketer to score a century and take ten wickets in a Leeward Islands tournament.
Breaking into first-class cricket during that era was no small feat. At the time, only 13 players were selected per team, in an ultra-competitive environment when West Indies cricket was at its global peak. Places were fiercely contested, and Guishard’s longevity speaks to his quality and resilience.
In addition to his regional career, Guishard spent many years playing league cricket in England and Scotland, competing against top international players. During that time, he played a pivotal role in helping one club end a trophy drought that had lasted nearly two decades, further underlining his impact beyond the Caribbean.
Though never officially appointed captain of the St. Kitts team, Guishard stood in as captain on several occasions. He also captained the Leeward Islands, doing so before later captaining St. Kitts in a stand-in capacity.
Following his playing career, Guishard transitioned into coaching and administration. As Cricket Coordinator in the Department of Sports, he oversaw the highly successful St. Kitts Under-13 tournament, which attracted teams from across the region and played a major role in developing elite youth talent.
As a coach, he has enjoyed sustained success, winning countless titles with Molineaux/Cayon in recent years. He also guided Molineaux Bluerunners to victory in the first two Cool and Smooth T20 titles, establishing the franchise as an early force in the competition.
Noel Guishard’s influence can be seen in the development of players such as Jacques Taylor, Christanja Carey, Larry Audain, Lester Morrishaw, and many others — particularly from communities stretching from Saddlers to Keys.
He has credited Sir Vivian Richards, his former captain, as a major influence, admiring his mentality and approach to the game — a mindset Guishard fully adopted. He also cites Derick Parry, a similar player with whom he later played and roomed, as another key mentor.
Today, Noel Guishard continues to volunteer his time, working quietly to ensure that cricket continues to grow for generations beyond his own. His legacy is not measured only in statistics, but in opportunity created, talent nurtured, and a lifetime devoted — largely on a voluntary basis — to the game he loves.
This weekend ‘Guish’ will be honoured in his community with a softball festival put on in his name to recognise his work in the community and beyond.
