In a landmark development for Caribbean cricket, the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) has unveiled plans to establish a semi-professional domestic league designed to foster local talent and create a structured pathway to professional play. The initiative was announced by BCA President Calvin Hope during a media briefing coinciding with the West Indies Under-19 team’s departure for the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Mr. Hope articulated a clear vision for the league, emphasizing its role in instilling greater seriousness and providing tangible incentives for elite players who currently balance cricket with other employment. “Long are the days where people just come and turn up and play at that level,” Hope stated, underscoring the need for a formalized system to adequately prepare athletes for professional careers. The league is conceived as a critical developmental platform for the future of Barbadian cricket.
While a tentative start date of April 4 has been set for the domestic season, the financial and operational specifics of the semi-pro league remain under active deliberation. President Hope highlighted the essential role of corporate collaboration, issuing a call to action for private sector investment. He framed cricket not just as a sport, but as a vital national asset and a vehicle for social cohesion, championing the concept of ‘P at the crease’—promoting peace through cricket—and advocating for the sport’s expanded role within Barbadian society.