On July 1, 2026, youth competitive cricket returned to Charlestown, Nevis’ iconic E T W Park with the launch of the annual Runako Morton TDC Primary Schools Cricket Tournament, backed for another year by lead sponsor St. Kitts Nevis Anguilla Trading and Development Company Limited (TDC).
Now a staple of Nevis’ local youth sports calendar, the tournament was created and sustained to honor the memory of Runako Morton, one of Nevis’ most celebrated and accomplished professional cricketers, whose career left an indelible mark on the island’s sporting culture. Beyond organizing competitive play for young talent, the annual event is designed to carry Morton’s legacy forward, offering school-aged aspiring cricketers a structured platform to hone their technical skills, build on-field confidence, and internalize the core values that define competitive sport.
Unlike many youth competitions that focus solely on winning, this tournament prioritizes character development alongside athletic growth, aiming to instill lifelong values including teamwork, discipline, mutual respect, leadership, resilience, fair play and good sportsmanship in all participating young players – values that translate to success off the cricket pitch in academics, personal growth and community life. This year, eight primary schools from across Nevis will compete for the title: St. Thomas’ Primary, Charlestown Primary, Voilet O Jeffers Nicholls Primary, Maude Crosse Primary, Ivor Walters Primary, Elzabeth Pemberton Primary, St. James’ Primary and Joycelyn Liburd Primary. All teams will compete in a welcoming yet competitive environment built to showcase emerging young talent across the island.
Ernie France, Head of TDC’s Nevis Operations, reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to the tournament in his opening remarks, noting that youth investment remains a core priority for the local business. “At TDC, we believe that investing in our youth is one of the most meaningful investments we can make,” France said. “The Runako Morton Primary Schools Cricket Tournament not only celebrates athletic excellence but also helps shape future leaders by teaching the values of commitment, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. We are proud to continue supporting this outstanding initiative and to honour the enduring legacy of Runako Morton, whose passion, determination, and achievements continue to inspire our young cricketers on Nevis.”
Organizers and sponsors alike note that the tournament fills a critical role in Nevis’ broader cricket ecosystem: it acts as an early scouting platform to identify and nurture the next generation of professional cricketing talent from the island, while reinforcing the deep sporting heritage that defines Nevis’ local community. For participating students, it is more than a school competition – it is a chance to connect with one of the island’s greatest sporting heroes while building skills that will serve them for life.