Photo: Mrs. Monique Todd, Vice President, Marketing, Public & Corporate Affairs – Scotiabank, Phillip Service, WICB Territorial Development Officer and Courtney Francis, C.E.O. of the JCA, examine equipment donated by Scotiabank for Kiddies Cricket, with kids from Franklin Town Primary and Excelsior Primary at the 2015 Kiddy Cricket Launch today in the boardroom at Sabina Park.
[Friday, January 30, 2015] Over 8000 students in 140 schools will benefit from cricket expertise over the next two months, as the Scotiabank/WICB Kiddy Cricket program takes off for the fourteenth year. This year, the program has been expanded to included 140 schools, double the number of institutions from the previous year. The 2015 program was officially launched today, January 30, 2015, at the Jamaica Cricket Association Conference Room, Sabina Park. Key stakeholders from the West Indies Cricket Board, the Jamaica Cricket Association, the Ministry of Education and Scotiabank were on hand to welcome the participants.
In her remarks, Monique Todd, VP Marketing, Public & Corporate Affairs noted “the Scotiabank sponsorship and commitment is more than just the provision of equipment and a sponsorship purse, it is about youth development and preparing future leaders to have the skills needed to be successful while engendering a love of the sport which is such an intrinsic part of our culture”.
Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Program teaches boys and girls, ages 7-12 how to play the game, and fosters a love of learning while building leadership skills in the classroom and on the field. The kiddie’s cricket program has created a solid foundation for basic cricketing skills including: batting, bowling, fielding, wicket keeping, personal life style development and the history of the game.
According to program coordinator Phillip Service, “the focus is on expanding the reach of the program to students across the island, while building the capacity of the teachers through training in coaching, and developing cricket skills set”.
The first event took place on January 28th, and matches will continue through the month of February culminating at the Kiddy Cricket Festival on March 13, 2015. Then eighty boys and girls, from the eight most outstanding primary schools in the program, will have the opportunity to showcase their skills at the international display during the WI vs. Australia match in June. The program culminates in July with a 4 day training camp.
Mr. Courtney Francis, C.E.O. of the Jamaica Cricket Association, was elated at the doubling of the numbers of schools participating in the competition this year, stating “A 100% increase in involvement in schools is huge. A number of lives have been impacted by this program and some of them have come through to represent Jamaica and others will come through in the future.
“Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this program over the years, the JCA appreciates it and we will continue to play our role in the development of cricket,” he concluded.
Scotiabank is the Exclusive Sponsor of Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket, and the Official Bank of West Indies Cricket. For almost fifteen years the Bank has been actively involved in developing the skill set and building the sport of cricket in the Caribbean.
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