Last Updated on May 18, 2026, 7:46 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Republic Bank’s sponsored event, ‘Five for Fun’ Cricket launched its fourth edition on Friday 15, May 2026. This year the ceremony officially launched in St. Kitts and Nevis at the bank’s Fort Street branch in Basseterre.
This year’s ceremony highlights the organisation’s continued efforts in developing cricket players from grassroots level across the Caribbean. The initiative is operated in a partnership between the Cricket West Indies (CWI) and Republic Bank. The Local government ministries and regional cricket associations also extended significant support to the initiative.
In the ceremony there were some prominent local and regional figures who attended the ceremony including West Indies batsman Keith Arthurton, current West Indies Senior Women’s Squad player Jahzara Claxton, Lisa Pistana the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, St Kitts and Nevis and various representatives from the Republic Bank.
Moreover, Carlisle Powell, President of Nevis Cricket Association expressed pride in the success of the programme. Seven players who started their cricket journey at professional level in ‘Five for Fun’ structure were selected in the Leeward Islands Under-15 team this year.
He said, “This invaluable sponsorship helped us lay a sound foundation, with seven players from Nevis, all of whom have their roots in ‘Five for Fun’ selected to the Leeward Islands Under-15 team this year”.
Deshawn James from Violet O. Jeffers Nicholls Primary is one of the most valuable player from the 2024 edition of the programme along with Karese Farrell, Nicholas Hero, Ryan Marchan, Aedan Williams, Damorae Prentice, and Kimani France.
According to sources, this year’s programme will coordinate with 30 Primary schools in which both boys and girls from 8 to 12 years will be able to participate. In 30 Primary schools there will be 21 schools from St. Kitts and 9 schools from Nevis. Selected students will get facilities including cricket coaching and get the opportunity to play at zonal matches. The programme will start later this month and runs through September.
Additionally, St. Kitts and Nevis this year became the second territory to launch the programme for this year after Guyana. In the upcoming weeks Barbados will also join in the programme for the first time and St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago also set to follow.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
