Jamaica is setting the stage for a cricket resurgence, as Sports Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange unveils a bold initiative to inject $100 million into grassroots development. With a renewed focus on young talent, the government aims to strengthen school programs, expand coaching networks, and elevate women’s cricket.
A New Era for Youth Cricket
Speaking at the Melbourne 5K launch, Grange emphasized that cricket must start from the ground up. She revealed that $40 million will be rolled out this year as part of a three-year commitment to reinvigorate the sport. A significant portion of these funds will go toward school cricket, providing resources to train the next generation of players.
“We need to rebuild the foundation,” Grange said. “This investment is about securing cricket’s future by introducing structured programs at the primary and high school levels.”
Women’s Cricket Gets a Boost
Jamaica’s women’s cricket team, fresh off their Super50 championship win in 2024, is set to benefit from the initiative. Grange acknowledged their success and stressed the importance of ensuring continued support for female cricketers.
“Our women’s team has shown incredible talent, and they deserve investment,” she noted. “Part of these funds will go directly toward strengthening women’s cricket and expanding opportunities for young female players.”
Expanding Coaching and Infrastructure
Recognizing the gap in coaching at the junior levels, the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) is ramping up efforts to train new coaches. JCA President Dr. Donovan Bennett highlighted that many schools lack qualified personnel to teach the fundamentals of the game.
“Our focus is on equipping schools with certified coaches,” Bennett explained. “We’re launching an islandwide program to train coaches and ensure that every school participating in cricket has proper guidance.”
Bigger Plans for the Future
Beyond youth cricket, the government is also investing heavily in infrastructure. In addition to the $100 million development fund, $75 million has been earmarked to improve Sabina Park’s lighting ahead of the West Indies’ home series against Australia in July.
With major investments pouring in and a renewed commitment to youth development, Jamaica is making a decisive move to reclaim its cricketing glory—one young player at a time.
