Bridgetown, Barbados, – St. Cyprians Boys Primary School etched its name in the history books on Tuesday, October 20, after being crowned champions of the inaugural Republic Bank Five for Fun Primary School Cricket Tournament in Barbados.
The historic championship, held at Mapp Hill Cricket Ground in Dash Valley, St George, brought together nine zonal winners, with St. Cyprians Boys Primary School emerging triumphant to claim the island’s first national title in the grassroots cricket initiative.
The programme was launched in Barbados in May, attracting participation from 39 primary schools across the island. Barbados became the sixth Caribbean territory to host the Republic Bank Five for Fun initiative, joining St Lucia, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The atmosphere at Mapp Hill was one of excitement and celebration as pupils showcased their skills across eight entertaining matches. True to the programme’s philosophy, the action highlighted the importance of enjoyment, inclusion, teamwork and the development of basic cricket skills in a fun, outdoor environment.
Managing Director & CEO Ms. Carlene Seudat presenting the championship trophy to the captain of the St. Cyprians Boy School
At the conclusion of the competition, all nine zonal winners were presented with Certificates of Participation in recognition of their achievements and involvement in the inaugural tournament.
The participating schools were:
- Zone A: Shirley Chisholm Primary
- Zone B: Gordon Greenidge Primary
- Zone C: Good Shepherd Primary
- Zone D: St. Matthews Primary
- Zone E: St. Cyprian’s Boys’ School
- Zone F: West Terrace Primary
- Zone G: St. Albans Primary
- Zone H: Cuthbert Moore Primary
- Zone I: Bayley’s Primary
Individual excellence was also celebrated, with special prizes presented to pupils who distinguished themselves at the National Festival Finals.
The awards recognized were;
Best Batter – Liam Lowe- St. Cyprians Primary
Best Bowler – Liam Lowe- St. Cyprians Primary
Best Fielder – Liam Lowe- St. Cyprians Primary
and Most Valuable Player- – Liam Lowe- St. Cyprians Primary
The coveted Spirit of the Game award was presented to Gordon Greenidge Primary School for demonstrating the values of sportsmanship, respect and fair play that underpin the Five for Fun programme.
Manager Marketing & Corporate Communications, Mischa Knight, presenting participation certificates to the captain of the Gordon Greenidge Primary School
In the team competition, St. Albans Primary School secured the runner-up position, receiving a plaque and medals, while St. Cyprians Primary School claimed the championship trophy and medals after an outstanding performance to make history as Barbados’ first national Five for Fun champions, whilst all participants on finals day received a certificate of participation. Addressing the gathering, Barbados Cricket Association President and Cricket West Indies Director, Calvin Hope, expressed gratitude to Republic Bank Limited for introducing the initiative to Barbados and encouraged the young participants to remain involved in cricket.
“The Republic Bank Five for Fun Primary School Cricket Programme continues to play an important role in strengthening the foundation of cricket in Barbados by creating opportunities for young boys and girls to develop their skills, build confidence and enjoy the game.
The National Festival Finals represent a celebration of the hard work, commitment and progress demonstrated by our participating schools, coaches and teachers throughout the programme. Beyond competition, Five for Fun promotes teamwork, discipline, sportsmanship and inclusion, while helping to identify and nurture the next generation of cricketing talent.
The Barbados Cricket Association is proud to support this initiative and remains committed to the continued growth and development of cricket at the grassroots level.”
Also in attendance was Donovan Lovell, Cricket Coach at the National Sports Council, who highlighted the opportunity the programme provides for pupils to pursue excellence both on and off the field.
“The Republic Bank Five for Fun Primary School Cricket Programme is an important initiative in developing the next generation of cricketers in Barbados. It provides boys and girls an opportunity to participate in entry level cricket in a fun and engaging format.
More importantly, the programme helps establish a clear developmental pathway for young players to progress from primary school cricket to higher levels of the game in Barbados while nurturing a lifelong love for cricket.
The National Sports Council will continue to support this initiative and looks forward to its continued growth and progress in the coming years.”
Players of St. Cyprians Boys and St. Albans Primary during the final
Republic Bank also fulfilled its commitment to support the financial future of every participating pupil. As announced at the programme’s launch, each child will receive a RightStart account from Republic Bank Barbados, with BBD $50 deposited into each account.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Republic Bank Barbados, Carlene Seudat, reiterated the bank’s commitment to the young participants and confirmed the additional rewards promised to the top-performing schools.
Members of the championship-winning team received BBD $150 each deposited into their RightStart accounts, while members of the runner-up team received BBD $100 each providing an added incentive to celebrate their achievements and encourage financial awareness from an early age.
Ms. Seudat also expressed her pleasure at seeing Barbados become part of the growing regional initiative.
“We are delighted to welcome Barbados into the regional Republic Bank Five for Fun family and celebrate the enthusiasm, talent and sportsmanship displayed throughout this inaugural competition. Congratulations to St. Cyprian’s Boys’ School, our first national champions, and to every pupil who participated – you have made not just yourselves but your schools and families proud.
“Through our Power to Make a Difference programme, we continue to invest in opportunities that help our young people build confidence, embrace teamwork and discover their potential. Our support extends beyond the cricket field: by encouraging sound financial habits early, we are helping children build foundations for their future. We thank Cricket West Indies, the Barbados Cricket Association, the National Sports Council, teachers, coaches and parents for bringing this vision to life. Republic Bank firmly believes that any investment in our youth is a worthwhile one.”
General Manager Retail Banking & Operations Mrs. Sharon Zephirin presenting the MVP award to Liam Lowe of St. Cyprians Boys School
The successful conclusion of the inaugural Barbados championship marks another milestone in the expansion of the Republic Bank Five for Fun programme, which uses cricket to promote participation, inclusion and positive values among primary-school pupils throughout the Caribbean.
Barbados now joins St Kitts and Nevis and St Lucia in completing the 2026 edition of the programme. The excitement continues in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, where their respective competitions are expected to conclude in the coming weeks.
Cricket West Indies
