Republic Bank and Cricket West Indies ‘Five for Fun’ Primary School Programme Bowls Off in Guyana

Cricket West Indies (CWI) and Republic Bank Financial Holdings Limited have once again partnered to engage male and female primary school students ages 8 -12 in CWI’s cricket development newest format. This important primary school age group development programme will feature seventy-five (75) participating schools in Guyana spread across Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice counties. CWI and Republic Bank strive to continue to build the base of the regions developmental cricket pathway through the continuation of the Republic Bank 'Five for Fun' Programme in Guyana. The programme plays an integral role in the core life-skill and professional athletic development of participating students.

The ‘Five for Fun’ concept promotes the engagement of students in a fun and inclusive environment. Each team will comprise five players, competing in a two innings (5-overs per innings) format. The speed, energy and uncomplicated rules of each match sees the ‘fun’ element of the programme unlocked. Participating schools will have access to training sessions conducted by certified CWI coaches in preparation for their respective zonal playoffs. Zonal winners will further progress to a county playoff where each county champion from Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice will vie to become national champions at the Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ National Festival Finals to be held on Thursday 13th June, 2024.

Khushiyal Singh CWI Senior Project Officer- Schools Cricket and Head of Operations for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup West Indies 2024 said:
“Taking into consideration CWI’s player pathway and regional coaching framework, the Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ cricket concept is intended to ensure that children have access to cricket at the primary school level and promote the regional pastime to children at an early age through a fun, safe and player centred approach. Students will have the opportunity to develop specific age-appropriate competences across performance areas such as values, mental focus, tactical awareness (rules of the game), physical development, nutrition and recovery. Technical cricket skill development (fielding, wicket keeping, spin bowling, pace bowling, batting) will form the base of activities. The programme provides opportunities for possible talent identification for the migration of players (both boys and girls) to the next stage of the age group cricket development pathway. At Cricket West Indies we are proud to partner with Republic Bank, the Ministry of Education’s Allied Arts Division, the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport and the Guyana Cricket Board. We aim to continue to strengthen our collaborative efforts from the perspective of youth development even further.”

At the official media launch of the 2024 Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ Programme held on Tuesday 23rd April, 2024 at Herdmanston Lodge, Republic Bank’s Mr. Harry Dass Ghaness, Commercial Manager Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited said “this Five for Fun programme is part of Republic Bank’s commitment to your success, Five for Fun is here to support your development, and Republic Bank is here to cheer you on now, and in the future. We look forward to another exciting season of Five for Fun Cricket in Guyana”.

Also at the launch was Mr. Nicholas Fraser, Head of Allied Arts Unit, Ministry of Education and Mr. Steven Ninvalle, Director of Sport in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. Mr. Ninvalle in his remarks shared that the soon to be completed facility at Guyana National Stadium will provide a space dedicated to sports and more specifically cricket.

At the conclusion of the media launch, attendees were able to interact with the students, teachers and coaches from the Comenius, St. Pius and Redeemer Primary Schools. The Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ Programme is set to continue in St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Lucia, with Grenada becoming the newest addition to the list of participating territories in 2024.

About Republic Bank “Five for Fun” Cricket: “5 for Fun” a new cricket format designed around the principles of fun, inclusion and equality. The ‘fun’ elements of the game are rooted in its speed, energy, and uncomplicated rules. Each 5 For Fun game involves five (5) players per team playing five (5) 6-ball overs each. Each batter faces an over from a single bowler. If a batter is ‘Out’, they will still face their allotted over, but 3 runs will be deducted from the team score. The ‘inclusion and equality’ elements ensure boys and girls of all abilities have the opportunity to play together as equals.

Republic Bank & Cricket: Five For Fun is the third pillar of Republic Bank’s region-wide investment into the Caribbean’s favourite sport. Republic Bank is also the Official Banking Partner of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and one of the tournament’s long-standing supporters. Alongside CPL, Republic Bank launched its Spirit of Caribbean Cricket platform in 2019. Spirit of Caribbean Cricket is a digital media property whereby all the stakeholders of cricket ranging from fans to legends are invited to share their memories, anecdotes and opinions about the past, present and future of the game. Please see www.spiritofcaribbeancricket.com.

CWI Future Stars Programme: The Future Stars Programme covers all aspects of participation and development from primary school age through to our “Rising Stars” Programme. For players showing true potential, our “Rising Stars” community and school programmes for secondary age children is the next stage of player development. And for those who demonstrate the ability and passion to excel further, the Future Stars pathway extends into our U17s and U19s regional programmes, and then the opportunity to represent the West Indies at U19 level and then hopefully onto a full-time professional career.

About Cricket West Indies (CWI): CWI takes great pride and responsibility in growing, guiding and organising cricket throughout the English-speaking Caribbean countries which form the West Indies, represented internationally by the West Indies Men’s, Women’s and Age-Group teams. The West Indies international team is unique in cricket and in international sport. It is the only team in cricket that represents a group of nations, drawing on the strength, skills and passion of each nation to unite through cricket and take on the world. CWI is the governing body for all professional and amateur cricket in the region, from the West Indies international teams and home series to regional tournaments such as the West Indies Championship (4-Day), the One-Day CG United Super50 Cup and the Women’s T20 Blast.