In a landmark initiative for Caribbean sports, Grenada has officially inaugurated its first-ever Girls’ Cricket Development Programme through a collaborative partnership between the Grenada Cricket Association (GCA), Grenada Electricity Services Ltd. (Grenlec), and Cricket West Indies. This structured development pathway represents a transformative investment in women’s athletics, specifically designed to provide consistent coaching, competitive exposure, and mentorship for young female cricketers at the school level.
GCA President Norman Gilbert emphasized the strategic importance of the programme, stating, ‘This inaugural activity is going to play a significant part in the development of women’s cricket in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. For the very first time, we have a programme exclusively dedicated to women’s development.’
The initiative has garnered strong institutional support, with Dwain Gill, High Performance Manager for Cricket West Indies, highlighting the essential role of corporate partnerships in sports development. ‘Collaboration between corporate and sporting organisations is fundamental to expanding access and ensuring programmes are delivered with quality and consistency. We need more corporate citizens to step forward and support women’s cricket—your investment creates tangible impact.’
The programme launched with participation from over 150 girls from primary and secondary schools across Grenada’s tri-island state. They were greeted by cricketing ambassadors including Women’s Team West Indies member Afy Fletcher and former player Junior Murray, alongside other Caribbean cricket legends who came to show their support.
Fletcher inspired participants with a powerful message: ‘This programme transcends cricket. It’s about building strong, confident young women for Grenada. Dream big. Train hard. Support each other. Your journey begins right here.’
The partners also acknowledged the crucial contributions of Grenada’s ministries of Sport and Education, participating schools, programme administrators, coaches, and parents in ensuring the initiative supports both athletic excellence and personal development. Through this comprehensive approach, the programme is positioned to significantly advance the quality and popularity of women’s cricket in the region.