Republic Bank Launches ‘Five for Fun’ Youth Cricket Initiative in Saint Kitts and Nevis
Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Wednesday, June 21, 2023 - On Tuesday June 13, 2023, Republic Bank (EC) Limited officially launched the first iteration of its youth cricket programme, 'Five for Fun' in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The launch event, held at Republic Bank’s Fort Street Branch, was attended by representatives from Republic Bank, Cricket West Indies, the Ministry of Sports, the Saint Kitts Cricket Association, the Nevis Cricket Association, and participating students and coaches.
Designed for both boys and girls at the primary school level, 'Five for Fun' is an Under 12 short-format cricket competition aimed at building a strong foundation for the future of cricket. The programme nurtures a love for the game and provides opportunities for young individuals to develop their potential. This initiative is the result of a collaboration between Republic Bank and Cricket West Indies (CWI).
Fidela Hayes, General Manager for Business and Retail Banking for Republic Bank (EC) Limited, articulated during her opening remarks, “The Bank plays an essential role in supporting the game's development right here in Saint Kitts, as well as in the region, by providing financial and other resources for different levels of the cricket game."
The programme, which has been in existence since 2021, was initially piloted in Saint Lucia and then in Guyana. Saint Kitts and Nevis is the third regional territory to launch this initiative.
Pamela Herbert Daniel, Republic Bank's Country Manager for Saint Kitts and Nevis, emphasized the importance of cricket development in the region and its integration into schools. She stated, “the development of cricket in Saint Kitts and Nevis, particularly in our schools, is very important to us and forms part of our overall strategic plan to commit more resources to the promotion and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through sports”. She highlighted the Bank's commitment to cricket development and its positive impact on the community.
Former Cricket West Indies President, Ricky Skerritt, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership between Cricket West Indies and Republic Bank, emphasizing the importance of rebuilding mass participation in cricket and fostering qualities of leadership, teamwork, and responsibility in children.
The 'Five for Fun' initiative aligns with the Bank's core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that everyone, regardless of gender or skill level, gets to fully participate in the game. The competition will culminate with the five top zonal teams participating in a festival final. Each team will comprise five players and compete in a two-innings format.
Jeffery Hazel, Director of Sports in the Ministry of Sports, extended his gratitude to Republic Bank for their invaluable support. He emphasized the potential of sports, including cricket, to foster social and economic development, as well as essential life skills like discipline and teamwork.
The 'Five for Fun' programme, which has already seen successful installments in Saint Lucia and Guyana, is part of Republic Bank's broader commitment to developing cricket in the Caribbean. This commitment includes facility upgrades, league support, and hosting tournaments at various levels.