“Free, fair, above board” is how Hamilton Reserve Bank describes its choice of St Mary’s College for Saint Lucia’s first Penn Relays appearance.
The bank, which calls itself the largest global bank headquartered in the Caribbean with over US$6 billion in assets, is covering the cost of the April 23 to 25 trip to Philadelphia and says it may sponsor more schools in the future.
The statement comes amid online speculation surrounding the choice.
Senior Relationship Banker at Hamilton Lauaina Dupres told St Lucia Times that despite rumours on social media, the decision to send a school team from Saint Lucia was made well before Island Champs started in early March. Vieux Fort Comprehensive won the boys’ title over SMC, but she said that result did not affect the bank’s choice.
“Initially, when Penn contacted us, it was either an all-boys school or an all-girls school,” Dupres said. “And then they had to have visas… I reached out to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and they gave us St Mary’s College…
“This was in the making before Island Champs. At least two or three weeks before. I was not even aware of Island Champs at the time.”
Dupres said the ministry also enquired about Vieux Fort Comprehensive before Island Champs began, but only one team met all the requirements before the registration deadline. “This was something that happened so fast,” said Dupres.
She went on to note that multiple teams from the same country can compete in the Penn Relays and expressed the hope that more teams from Saint Lucia will attend in 2027 and beyond. Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago are among the territories that have several teams at the world-famous meet.
“We are looking to do this again next year, to sponsor more schools, to have three or four teams from Saint Lucia,” Dupres said. “So it’s a trial process. We’re just trying this. It’s the first time that we’re doing something like that… We’re working towards getting some other students and other schools on board for next year.”
Dupres told St Lucia Times that the bank’s leadership was surprised by the negative response to the Penn Relays announcement in early April. She added that the bank will keep building local partnerships and creating opportunities for young people in Saint Lucia.
The bank and the SMC team will hold a joint press conference before leaving for the Penn Relays in the coming days.
