Bridgetown, Barbados – The exciting Cricket West Indies (CWI) and Republic Bank Limited ‘Five for Fun’ Cricket Programme was officially launched in Barbados, bringing smiles and excitement to hundreds of primary school pupils and key stakeholders.
After successful editions in St. Lucia, Guyana, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Kitts and Nevis, the programme has now arrived in Barbados for its historic first season. A total of 60 primary schools from across the island are targeted to take part.
Designed for children between the ages of 7 and 12, the ‘Five for Fun’ format focuses on enjoyment, inclusion, teamwork, and the development of basic cricket skills in a fun outdoor environment.
The symbolic launch ceremony was held on Wednesday, May 27, at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium. Present at the event were representatives of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), former West Indies cricketers Vasbert Drakes and Kurt Wilkinson, current Barbados and West Indies player Chemar Holder, and pupils from Bayley’s Primary, Blackman and Gollop Primary, Good Shepherd Primary, West Terrace Primary, and Luther Thorne Memorial Primary.
Also attending on behalf of Republic Bank Barbados were Carlene Seudat, Managing Director & CEO and other members of the Senior Management Team, Steven Jordan, Sharon Zephirin, Joy Inniss, and Sasha Shillingford.
Cricket Operations and Development Manager of the BCA, Wendell Coppin, welcomed the initiative and said the programme is designed to inspire the next generation of Barbadian and West Indian cricketers.
“This year marks an exciting milestone as Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ makes its debut in Barbados. The Barbados Cricket Association is proud to partner with Republic Bank and Cricket West Indies in delivering this all-important primary school initiative.
We are thrilled to have close to 60 schools participating in this inaugural year, with scheduled training sessions being conducted by coaches from the National Sports Council alongside Barbados Cricket Association coaches. Students will also have the unique opportunity to interact with and be inspired by visits from national senior team cricketers throughout the programme.
We believe this initiative will play an important role in strengthening grassroots cricket development in Barbados, and we are eagerly anticipating Zonal Playoff matches and the National Festival Finals carded for October, where the students will have the opportunity to showcase their progress and celebrate the spirit of the game.”
Chief Executive Officer of the BCA, Paul Skinner, also praised Republic Bank Limited for introducing the programme in Barbados at an important time for youth cricket development.
“This programme is not a standalone initiative, but a key component of the national cricket development strategy. Through the collaborative efforts of the Barbados Cricket Association and Cricket West Indies (CWI), alongside the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sport, cricket clubs, and other sporting and cricketing organisations, we are committed to ensuring that the talented boys and girls emerging from this programme are provided with the training opportunities and competitive pathways necessary for both individual and collective growth. It remains essential that national stakeholders continue to work together to ensure that cricket development pathways across the region are properly resourced, strengthened, and sustained for future generations.
To Republic Bank, we extend our sincere gratitude, as this initiative would not be possible without your unwavering commitment and shared belief in youth development. Your investment in the young people of Barbados and the wider Caribbean through the sport of cricket will not only be reflected in future appearances on some of the world’s biggest cricketing stages, but also in the cultivation of responsible, innovative, and progressive citizens who will make meaningful contributions to the advancement of our society.”
A major highlight from the launch came when it was announced that every participating pupil would receive a RightStart account from Republic Bank Barbados with BBD $50 already deposited; news that was met with loud applause from the students in attendance.
Additionally, members of the inaugural national championship team will each receive BBD $200 added to their RightStart accounts, while runners-up will receive BBD $150 each.
Managing Director and CEO of Republic Bank Barbados, Carlene Seudat, also spoke proudly about the growing partnership between Republic Bank and Cricket West Indies and the positive impact the programme continues to have on young people across the region.
“At Republic Bank, we believe that building strong communities starts with investing in our youth. Today’s launch is not just about cricket. It is about opportunity, development, and shaping the future of our region, one child at a time.
Here in Barbados and the West Indies, cricket is more than a sport. It is part of our identity. It is woven into our culture, our history, and our pride as a people.
We have produced world-class players who have carried the West Indies flag with distinction. Players like Shai Hope, Carlos Brathwaite, Jason Holder, and Hayley Matthews, who began their journeys just like the children gathered here today, with a bat, a ball, and a dream.”
The tournament bowls off with schools training and coaching sessions in June and July while the zonal playoffs are scheduled for September 2026 and National Festival Finals carded for October 2026. The launch ceremony was hosted by Joel Manning who is a Republic Bank Barbados Ambassador.
Barbados becomes the fifth and final territory to launch the Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ Programme in 2026, following launches in Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Lucia.
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