Two St John primary schools have received thousands of dollars in cricket equipment, strengthening efforts to develop the next generation of players.
Mount Tabor Primary and St Margaret’s Primary received cricket gear valued at $10 000 during a presentation on Monday at the Gall Hill Community Centre in St John.
The donation was made possible through a collaboration between the Cricket Impact Group, RBC Barbados and the Ministry of Sport.
Minister Charles Griffith welcomed the contribution, thanking the two organisations for what he described as a generous investment in junior cricket.
He said initiatives such as this are important to giving young players the tools and opportunities needed to develop their skills.
“Hopefully this will motivate the youngsters at both schools to do well as far as cricket is concerned.
“It is not often that we get corporate Barbados looking into sports this way, so I really want to, on behalf of the young people, say thank you for this gesture,” Minister Griffith said.
For Cricket Impact Group CEO Adam Hall, the opportunity to invest in the development of young cricketers was one worth embracing. He also pledged to make the initiative an annual one.
“One of the things that is really important to us at the Cricket Impact Group is community. Part of that is the shared value between government and private entities, and the team at RBC Barbados has been incredible to partner with. In terms of how we want to grow the community, we see this as just a starting point in Barbados,” Hall stated.
Managing Director of RBC Barbados Shimon McIntosh endorsed the partnership. “We feel very passionately about developing youth and developing our communities. Cricket for us is not just a sport. It is part of who we are and a part of our identity.
“To maintain that legacy, we need to pass it to the next generation (and) that’s what we’re attempting to do here through this donation of cricket equipment.”
Physical Education teacher at St Margaret’s Primary Julian Pierre thanked the companies for their investment.
“We know at the end of the day this is where the foundation is built for cricket and these are the ones who could represent Barbados, West Indies, or they may even go to county teams in England, because we know how far cricket spans regionally and internationally.
“It is a great opportunity for them to have.”
(KH)
