Jamaica’s Sports Minister, Olivia “Babsy” Grange, has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to revitalizing grassroots cricket, announcing a $100 million investment aimed at nurturing young talent and strengthening cricket programs in schools.
The initiative, which spans three years, follows the Government’s 2023 decision to forgo bidding for the 2024 ICC Twenty20 World Cup due to financial constraints. Instead, resources are being redirected towards youth cricket, school-based programs, and the women’s national team.
Major Disbursement Begins in 2025
Speaking at the launch of the Melbourne 5K, Grange revealed that nearly half of the funds—$40 million—will be disbursed in 2025. This includes direct support for Jamaica’s women’s cricket team, who triumphed in the 2024 Super50 tournament.
“We are rolling out $40 million this year as part of our long-term commitment,” Grange stated. “Before the end of the month, we hope to start funding women’s cricket, particularly the team that excelled last year.”
Strengthening Coaching & Youth Development
Grange emphasized that discussions are underway with the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) and other stakeholders to determine how the remaining funds will be allocated. A significant portion will go towards coaching and developmental programs at the primary and basic school levels.
“We need to ensure we have a strong pipeline of young cricketers, so we’ll be introducing structured programs in schools,” she explained. “I’m also in talks with a renowned cricketer to play a key role in this initiative.”
JCA President Dr. Donovan Bennett echoed the importance of structured training, noting that many schools currently lack qualified coaches. The JCA plans to ramp up its level-one coaching programs to equip schools with trained personnel.
“Our goal is to train as many coaches as possible, particularly for the Under-13 and primary school competitions. Many of these schools lack a dedicated coach, and we want to change that,” Bennett said.
Commitment Extends Beyond Youth Cricket
Jamaica’s investment in cricket will surpass $110 million in 2025, following the Government’s earlier pledge of $75 million to upgrade the lighting at Sabina Park ahead of the West Indies’ home series against Australia in July.
With a renewed focus on grassroots development and infrastructure, Jamaica is setting the stage for a new era of cricketing excellence, ensuring young players have the resources and guidance needed to compete at the highest levels.
