Youth cricket programme poised to unearth cricketing talent

At least 60 primary schools will participate in the Republic Bank Five Fun Cricket Programme, as it aims to be a nursery for the next generation of Barbados and West Indies cricketers.

The ambitious programme was launched at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium today, and targets children between the ages of seven and 12.

Operations and Development Manager at the Barbados Cricket Association, Wendell Coppin outlined the format of the programme, hailing it as a training ground for cricketing talent.

Coppin revealed that they had already surpassed the 48 school target set by Cricket West Indies (CWI).

Bayleys Primary showcased their skills as a part of a cricket demonstration. (Photo Credit: Kurtis Hinds)

“It’s a softball programme within the schools and so far, again with the help of the National Sports Council, we are targeting 60 primary schools across the island.”

“With the help of the National Sports Council and the help of the Barbados Cricket Association and our coaching staff, we expect that every single child in the next three years would have seen a Five for Fun programme, a Five for Fun bat and would have held a Five for Fun ball, as a result of the support from our sponsors Republic Bank.”

According to Coppin, the programme will be wide ranging, as it seeks to enhance the pool of young players.

“We will have festivals, so each school will play against opposing schools and we will culminate with a zonal and then a one day national festival where we will bring the zonal winners into one location. We will have five kids taking part, three boys and two girls,” he explained.

“We hope that the conveyor belt of cricketers within Barbados and certainly West Indies will continue, as a result of the help from the BCA, the National Sports Council, and indeed our partners at Republic Bank.”

Chief executive officer of the BCA, Paul Skinner, described the collaborative grassroots cricket initiative as timely and essential in rebuilding mass participation cricket. 

He asserted that cricket must not only be seen as just a game, but as a vehicle that can encourage and create positive behavioural change in young people.

“The Republic Bank Five for Fun Cricket programme will give children the opportunity to be explorative and expressive while building core qualities of leadership, patience, teamwork, dealing with adversity, confidence, time management, commitment, responsibility, and so much more.”

“It is truly a well rounded programme and it’s a skills development initiative that I think will go far here in Barbados,” Skinner said.

Managing Director and CEO of Republic Bank (Barbados) Ltd, Carlene Seudat, described the start of the programme as a proud and exciting moment for the company. 

She reiterated that the bank believes building strong communities starts with investing in youth.

“We’re especially proud to partner with the BCA, CWI, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Sport through the National Sports Council to bring this initiative to life.

“Having already seen the success of Five for Fun in Saint Lucia since 2021, we are confident that Barbados will embrace it with the same energy, passion, and excellence that defines its rich cricketing legacy,” Seudat noted.

Seudat said in addition to improving their skills, participants were also set to benefit financially.

“Both on and off the field, every participant in this program will receive a Republic Bank Right Start account with an opening balance of $50. We also want to encourage teamwork, dedication, and excellence through competition and really foster that winning spirit.” 

“As such, additional cash incentives will be awarded to the top three teams, with prizes ranging up to $200 per student for the winning team,” she said.

(KH)