Cricket: 2025 Five for Fun Program Launched

The Five for Fun Cricket Program, a youth cricket development initiative targeting primary school students, celebrated its third annual edition on May 8, 2025, hosted at the Republic Bank Nevis Branch. This vibrant program, primarily funded by Republic Bank, operates through a collaborative partnership involving the West Indies Cricket Board and the cricket associations of both St. Kitts and Nevis. The program underscores the bank’s commitment to community development and youth empowerment through sports, demonstrating a strong belief in nurturing young talent and fostering a love for cricket within the region. The 2025 event served as a testament to the program’s continued success and growing influence in shaping the future of cricket in the islands.

The proceedings of the event were expertly guided by Beliesa McDonald-Natta, Marketing Specialist at Republic Bank, ensuring a smooth and engaging experience for all attendees. The event featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, each representing a key stakeholder in the program and the wider cricket community. Dennis Phillip, President of the St. Kitts Cricket Association, brought a competitive spirit to the event, highlighting the rivalry between the islands and expressing his determination for St. Kitts to claim victory in the upcoming inter-island finals. Carlisle Powell, President of the Nevis Cricket Association, represented the reigning champions, acknowledging Nevis’s previous successes while emphasizing the importance of continued development and sportsmanship.

Mrs. Pamela Herbert-Daniel, Country Manager at Republic Bank, articulated the bank’s dedication to investing in youth development and community initiatives. She underscored the importance of sports in fostering teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills, recognizing the Five for Fun program as a powerful vehicle for positive change. Her presence reinforced the bank’s commitment to the program and its broader social responsibility goals. Government representatives, including Jamir Claxton, Principal Assistant Secretary, and Aljay Newton, Director of Sports, further solidified the program’s significance, highlighting the government’s support for youth development through sports and recognizing the positive impact of the Five for Fun initiative on the community.

The event also benefited from the wisdom and experience of cricket luminaries. Ricky Skeritt, former President of Cricket West Indies, brought a wealth of knowledge and insight, emphasizing the importance of grassroots development in nurturing future generations of cricketers. His presence underscored the program’s alignment with the broader strategic goals of West Indies cricket and its focus on building a strong foundation for the sport. Stuart Williams, a former West Indies cricketer, provided inspiration to the young cricketers, sharing his personal journey and emphasizing the importance of dedication, perseverance, and passion in pursuing sporting excellence. His presence served as a powerful reminder of the opportunities that cricket can provide and the potential for young athletes to achieve greatness.

A recurring theme throughout the speeches was the profound gratitude expressed towards Republic Bank for their substantial sponsorship of the Five for Fun Cricket Program. The speakers acknowledged the bank’s crucial role in making the program possible, highlighting the positive impact of their investment on the lives of young cricketers and the development of the sport within the community. The speakers also emphasized the opportunity that the program presents to the young cricketers, urging them to embrace the training, develop their skills, and strive for excellence in both their sporting endeavors and their personal lives.

The event culminated with a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming inter-island finals. With Nevis having secured victory in the previous two years, the competition was set to be fierce, with St. Kitts determined to break Nevis’s winning streak. The Five for Fun Cricket Program not only provides a platform for young cricketers to showcase their skills but also fosters a sense of healthy competition and camaraderie between the islands. The program serves as a testament to the power of sport to unite communities, inspire youth, and create lasting legacies. The 2025 event marked another successful chapter in the Five for Fun Cricket Program’s journey, further solidifying its position as a vital initiative in the development of cricket in St. Kitts and Nevis.