"FIVE FOR FUN" TURNS SIX IN SAINT LUCIA

CASTRIES,ST. Lucia: What appeared to be an ordinary Wednesday in downtown St. Lucia quickly transformed into a celebration of youth cricket as Republic Bank (EC) Limited (RBEC) officially launched the 2026 edition of its “Five for Fun” Youth Cricket programme at the Republic Bank Castries Branch.

 The launch ceremony was filled with energy and excitement as students from Bexon Primary, Odsan Primary and St Aloysious R.C Boys Primary joined coaches, government officials and representatives from Republic Bank and Cricket West Indies.

This year marks the sixth season of the initiative, a milestone moment for the programme and for the young cricketers in St. Lucia who were among the very first participants when “Five for Fun” was introduced across the Caribbean.

For the 2026 season, 38 primary schools representing six selected school zones will compete, including defending champions Patience Mon Repos Combine Primary.

Delivering the feature remarks was Minister of Education, Youth Development, Sport and Digital Transformation, Hon. Kenson Casimir, who encouraged students to follow the example set by Daren Sammy and Julien Alfred and make full use of the opportunities being created through Republic Bank’s investment in youth cricket.

“A heartfelt congratulations to the management and staff at Republic Bank. As Minister of Youth Development and Sport, I truly appreciate your contribution to the development of sport in St. Lucia.”

“Cricket and track and field have brought glory to our communities with the likes of Daren Sammy and Julien Alfred who have ensured St. Lucia takes its space in the global sporting arena. To our young participants, this programme will bring fun, excitement and lasting memories for you. Embrace the opportunity and use it to harness your true potential.”

Cricket Operations Manager of the St. Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA), Shaun Alcindor, praised the programme for its role in identifying and developing cricket talent from an early age.

“The SLNCA has embarked on a development pathway which includes participants from Under 8 to the senior level engaged in cricket across the island. ‘Five for Fun’ forms the base of this developmental pathway. Many of the participants in the programme have filtered into the Under 13 programme at the district levels in the last year.”

“We have seen the lights of Evan Gilbert and Ammie Antoine transition through this developmental pathway to the Windward Islands Under 15 and Under 19 teams respectively. Thanks to Republic Bank and Cricket West Indies for your continued support and investment in youth cricket in St. Lucia.”

As the programme returns to St. Lucia, senior St. Lucian cricketer and Windward Islands Under-19 player Ammie Antoinestands as a shining example of its success. Antoine, who once represented Bocage Primary in the programme’s early years, spoke passionately about the impact Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ has had on her development.

“Republic Bank “Five for Fun” was a fun learning experience. It introduced me to all components of the game including batting, bowling and fielding and gave me the opportunity to captain my school team. The programme prepared me for the advanced level of training I am engaged in now and I hope to one day represent the West Indies Senior Women’s Team.”

Director of Sport, Clivus Jules, also addressed the gathering, and emphasized the power of cricket both within the West Indies and St. Lucia.

“Today is yet another very important milestone in our commitment to the development of our children through cricket. For us, cricket is much more than a game. Cricket, more than any other sport, has had a telling effect on the psyche of our Caribbean people.”

 “Cricket has united us under one umbrella and is much more than just a game. Cricket teaches core life skill values such as character, discipline, corporation with your peers, confidence, respect and promotes healthy active lifestyles for our children. Special thanks to Republic Bank, Cricket West Indies and the SLNCA for your continued investment in the young people of St. Lucia.”

Country Manager of Republic Bank St. Lucia, Ron Leon, expressed pride in witnessing the growth of young cricketers through the programme and their progression to higher levels of the sport.

“Republic Bank Five for Fun was determined quite a while back as something absolutely fundamental to our communities.Cricket is part of us as a people in the EC, we love cricket, not just in Saint Lucia. We live for cricket and it's important for us to be able to continue to cultivate that culture and ensure that our youth have the ability, the capacity to continue to push the game forward.So, this is extremely important to us as a bank, it speaks to who we are and what we want to do”.

As the evening’s proceedings ended, Republic Bank’s General Manager Retail and Banking Operations Gezella Claxton had the distinct honour of declaring St. Lucia’s Republic Bank “Five for Fun” officially open.

Since its pilot launch in St. Lucia in 2021, the “Five for Fun” programme has expanded steadily across the Caribbean, reaching as far north as St. Kitts and Nevis and as far south as Guyana. St. Lucia became the fourth territory to launch its 2026 programme, following Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago, while Barbados will complete this year’s regional rollout in the coming days.