Two primary schools in Barbados’ St John parish have been given a major boost to their grassroots cricket programs, after accepting a $10,000 donation of professional cricket equipment through a cross-sector partnership between public officials and private industry. \n\nMount Tabor Primary and St Margaret’s Primary took ownership of the new gear during an official presentation ceremony held Monday at the Gall Hill Community Centre, bringing to fruition a collaborative effort between the non-profit Cricket Impact Group, regional financial firm RBC Barbados, and Barbados’ Ministry of Sport. \n\nMinister of Sport Charles Griffith opened the event by praising the two private organizations for their uncommon commitment to nurturing young athletic talent in the country. Noting that targeted investments in youth cricket are rare from the corporate sector in Barbados, Griffith emphasized that the donation does more than just provide gear—it gives aspiring young players the foundational resources they need to refine their skills and build confidence on the pitch. \n\n“I hope this donation inspires the students at both schools to excel in the sport,” Griffith said in his address. “On behalf of all the young people that will benefit from this, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for this incredibly generous gesture.” \n\nFor Adam Hall, Chief Executive Officer of the Cricket Impact Group, the project aligns directly with the organization’s core mission of centering community engagement in cricket development. Hall highlighted that the partnership between public and private stakeholders sets a strong model for growing grassroots sports in the country, adding that this donation is only the first step in the group’s long-term work in Barbados. \n\nHe also made a key announcement: the initiative will return annually to support more youth cricket programs across the island. “Community is at the heart of everything we do at Cricket Impact Group, and that means building meaningful shared value between government and private entities,” Hall explained. “Working with the RBC Barbados team has been an absolute pleasure, and we see this donation as just the starting point for growing cricket’s community across Barbados.” \n\nShimon McIntosh, Managing Director of RBC Barbados, echoed Hall’s enthusiasm for the partnership, framing the investment as a way to preserve a beloved cultural institution for future generations. For many Barbadians, cricket is far more than a recreational activity—it is a core part of national identity, McIntosh said. To keep that legacy alive, he added, stakeholders must actively pass the sport on to young people by giving them access to the resources they need to thrive. That is exactly what this donation sets out to accomplish, he noted. \n\nJulian Pierre, physical education teacher at St Margaret’s Primary, thanked the partnering organizations for their forward-thinking investment, pointing out that primary school is where the next generation of international cricket stars build their foundational skills. Many of the students benefiting from this donation could one day go on to represent Barbados, the West Indies, or even play professionally for county teams in the United Kingdom, Pierre noted, given the far-reaching global reach of the sport. “This is an incredible opportunity for our students, and we are so grateful for this support,” he added.