Carib Scope

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  • Family Appeals for Help Finding Missing Teen Caleb Auguste

    Family Appeals for Help Finding Missing Teen Caleb Auguste

    Authorities have launched an active search operation for Caleb Auguste, an individual who has been officially reported missing to local law enforcement. As the investigation into his disappearance continues, police are reaching out to members of the public to request any information that could help locate Auguste and advance the case.

    People who may have seen Caleb Auguste recently, or hold any details about his current whereabouts that have not yet been shared with authorities, are strongly encouraged to reach out to law enforcement immediately. The simplest way to submit information is to visit the closest local police station in person, or contact investigators through the official designated phone lines set up for this case. Every small piece of information could prove critical to helping bring the search for Auguste to a safe conclusion, law enforcement representatives noted.

  • Nearly 800 students to sit grade six national assessment next week

    Nearly 800 students to sit grade six national assessment next week

    The 2026 edition of Jamaica’s Grade Six National Assessment (G6NA) is slated to kick off later this month, with the island’s Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National Excellence confirming full logistics and scheduling for the nationwide exam cycle. Per the official announcement, the two-day assessment will run on Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29, hosted at 62 accredited examination centres distributed across the island.

    This year, a total cohort of 792 sixth-grade students are registered to participate in the assessments, broken down into 412 male and 380 female candidates. All testing sessions are scheduled to commence promptly at 7:45 a.m. on both days, and the entire assessment will be administered via a traditional paper-based format, consistent with previous cycles of the national evaluation.

    The exam schedule is structured to split assessments across the two testing days. On the opening day, candidates will complete three components: a multiple-choice Language Arts evaluation, a multiple-choice Social Studies assessment, and a standalone writing composition paper. The second day will be dedicated to STEM-focused evaluations, with a Mathematics assessment followed by a multiple-choice Science and Technology paper.

    Ministry officials confirmed that comprehensive pre-exam preparations have been completed in close partnership with classroom teachers and school administrators across the island to guarantee a seamless, low-disruption testing experience. Key preparatory steps included distributing detailed procedural guidelines to all education stakeholders and hosting mandatory training sessions for appointed examination supervisors to standardize testing protocols.

    The education ministry also publicly acknowledged the support of the Ministry of National Security, which has collaborated to secure the safe transportation and secure storage of confidential examination materials ahead of the testing window. To support students during the assessment period, education authorities are issuing a public request: parents, guardians, and all community members are asked to avoid school grounds where exams are being held over the two days, to preserve a quiet, distraction-free testing environment that lets students focus on their work.

    Beyond logistics, the ministry is offering guidance to families supporting participating students, encouraging caregivers to help students prioritize rest and stress reduction in the lead-up to the assessments. To close the official announcement, the Ministry of Education extended warm best wishes to every candidate sitting the 2026 G6NA, expressing confidence that students will put forward their best work and achieve successful, positive outcomes.

  • Suspect surrenders to police following killing of Joy St Omer

    Suspect surrenders to police following killing of Joy St Omer

    A grim case of fatal domestic violence has rocked Saint Lucia, after a 24-year-old mother was shot and killed by her estranged husband, who later turned himself in to law enforcement. What makes the tragedy all the more shocking is that a court-issued protection order barring the suspect from contacting the victim, Joy St Omer, was already active at the time of the shooting.

    The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) confirmed that the unidentified suspect surrendered voluntarily to the force’s Criminal Investigations Department and is now formally in police custody as the investigation progresses.

    The incident unfolded on Wednesday evening, when first responders from the Marigot Police Station were dispatched to a homicide report in the Marigot community just after 6:30 p.m. When officers arrived at the scene, they found St Omer, a native of Anse La Raye and mother to one child, unresponsive in the driver’s seat of a parked vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Police records show that the victim had spent months reporting repeated threats and violations of the protection order from her estranged husband. The first formal assault complaint against the suspect was filed with the Anse La Raye Police Station on March 8, 2026. Investigations following that report led to the suspect’s arrest five days later, where he was charged with three offenses: inflicting harm, using threatening language, and violating the existing protection order that had been granted in St Omer’s favor.

    The suspect was first brought before the First District Court, where judges denied his request for bail. However, he subsequently appealed the decision to the High Court, which ultimately granted him bail ahead of his scheduled trial. St Omer filed her final complaint against the suspect at 8:30 a.m. on the very day she was killed. Law enforcement launched an immediate search for the man after that last report, but officers were unable to locate him before the shooting.

    The Major Crimes Unit of the RSLPF has now taken over the case to conduct a full investigation into the shooting and the circumstances that led to St Omer’s death. In an official statement following the tragedy, the RSLPF extended its deepest sympathies to St Omer’s family and loved ones. “The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force extends condolences to the family and loved ones of Joy St Omer during this difficult time,” the statement read.

    St Omer’s killing has sent shockwaves across the small Caribbean nation, sparking widespread public outrage and reigniting long-simmering national debates over systemic failures in addressing domestic violence, the effectiveness of court-ordered protection orders, and how law enforcement handles repeated complaints from at-risk women. Advocates for gender-based violence survivors are now calling for urgent policy and procedural reforms to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

  • 12 foreign teams arrive for Masters Football contest

    12 foreign teams arrive for Masters Football contest

    The highly anticipated 2026 Saint Lucia International Masters Football Invitational officially launched its five-day run on Wednesday night, with opening round fixtures hosted simultaneously at two premier venues: the Micoud Playing Field and the iconic Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. Of the 26 total squads competing across two age divisions, 10 teams took to the pitch in the tournament’s opening slate of matches, delivering an action-packed opening round that saw 11 goals across five contests, setting an energetic tone for the remainder of the event.

    Competing in the Over 50 age Group A at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Caricom Masters secured a narrow opening victory over Gros Islet Legends, with Ansgar Herman netting the decisive match-winning goal. In a second Over 40 Group D opener held at the same venue, Marchand claimed a 2-1 come-from-behind win against Lancers FC. Klen Jules put Lancers FC on the board first early in the fixture, before Carn Laure equalized for Marchand with a well-placed header. Lincoln Philip, representing the east Castries-based side, then scored the go-ahead goal that held up as the game-winner to secure Marchand’s opening three points.

    Across fixtures at the Micoud Playing Field, the first matchday delivered two draws and a tight one-goal victory. In Over 50 Group B play, Vieux Fort South Masters edged past Labowi Connexions 1-0, with Ernie Nanton scoring the only goal of the contest to claim all three points. Over in Over 40 Group B, Vieux Fort South and Dennery’s All Blacks ended their match tied 1-1: Calixte Biscette put the All Blacks ahead in the contest, before Brad Camille equalized for VFS to split the points. The final opening fixture between Valley Legends and Micoud United FC (Over 40 Group A) also ended in a 2-2 draw. Valley Legends struck first through Alvin Emmanuel, before Valentine Peter and Brendon Desir put Micoud United in front. Sampson Robinson’s late goal rescued a point for Valley Legends to lock in the draw.

    Organized by Veteran Sports, the tournament has grown steadily in scale and prestige over its iterations, with Alvin Malaykhan, CEO of Veteran Sports, noting to local outlet St Lucia Times that he is encouraged by the event’s steady expansion. The invitational has cemented its place as a core fixture on Saint Lucia’s sports tourism calendar, and has emerged as a must-participate event for masters football squads across the Caribbean region.

    “I think we have the best masters football tournament in the Caribbean. I’m proud to say that. It’s at a high level,” Malaykhan shared in an interview. “And then it’s important to us, the development of masters football regionally and internationally. So, getting foreign teams to participate in these tournaments is very important to us. We have over 12 foreign teams coming in, over 300 participants. So the impact on the economy is magnificent.”

    Running under the official theme “Legends…United by Passion,” the 2026 tournament will conclude on Whit Monday, May 25. In addition to local Saint Lucian squads, the 26 competing teams across the Over 40 and Over 50 age divisions include visiting squads from Barbados, Canada, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, and the United States.

    Malaykhan emphasized that organizers are committed to continuing to elevate the tournament’s quality in coming years, noting that the event’s unique appeal combines high-level competitive football with the distinctive warm, vibrant culture of the island. “This tournament can only get better,” he added. “What’s important is the level of football and the enjoyment and the atmosphere of just being in Saint Lucia. Saint Lucia is a safe, wonderful place to experience good football, and we bring that Caribbean flair and atmosphere to the football. So that’s why a lot of people come out here to just enjoy what we bring to that.”

  • Belize Loses Second Airline in Months as JetBlue Exits

    Belize Loses Second Airline in Months as JetBlue Exits

    On Wednesday, May 21, 2026, low-cost U.S. carrier JetBlue completed its final commercial departure from Philip Goldson International Airport, ending its popular direct route connecting New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Belize City. This move delivers a second heavy blow to Belize’s tourism-reliant economy in just a few months, following closely on the heels of Spirit Airlines’ decision to terminate all Belize-bound service earlier this year.

    JetBlue’s exit was not an unforeseen development. Back in February 2026, the airline publicly confirmed it would cut the Belize-New York route as a core component of its company-wide “JetForward” restructuring initiative. The strategic overhaul is designed to streamline the carrier’s route network, cut unnecessary operational costs, and guide the airline back to consistent profitability after a period of post-pandemic financial volatility.

    For Belize, whose national economy depends heavily on international tourism and counts affordable, accessible air travel as one of its most critical infrastructure assets, the loss of two low-cost carriers in such a short timeframe has created tangible strain across the tourism ecosystem. Efrain Perez, president of the Belize Tourism Industry Association, highlighted the severity of the challenge in comments to reporters, noting that consistent growth in airlift capacity is directly tied to increases in tourist overnight stays, the primary driver of revenue for hotels, tour operators, local businesses and hospitality workers across the country.

    “The departure of any airline is very critical for the tourism industry. We depend on increasing our airlift so that we can create more overnight stays,” Perez explained.

    Despite the obvious concerns, Perez was careful to put the setback in context, emphasizing that Belize still maintains robust air connectivity with North America and broader global markets through a roster of established major international carriers. These include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Copa Airlines and Air Canada, all of which continue to operate regular routes to Belize. Perez also pointed to a recent positive development: Air Canada launched a new direct route from Montreal to Belize City, a connection that opens up convenient same-day travel options for passengers coming from multiple European destinations, expanding Belize’s access to the key European tourism market.

    Perez added that both the Belize Tourism Board and the national Ministry of Tourism are currently working around the clock to court new air carriers, with the goal of replacing lost low-capacity routes and expanding overall airlift to the country. In a parallel move to offset the impact of reduced air access during the upcoming low travel season, national tourism authorities have launched a new targeted “green season” marketing campaign. The initiative encourages local hoteliers and hospitality providers to offer discounted accommodation rates to international visitors, with the aim of boosting booking volumes and softening the revenue dip that typically comes during the low-travel period.

  • Job Opportunity: Project Manager

    Job Opportunity: Project Manager

    The Government of Grenada has launched a call for applications from experienced, highly qualified professionals to fill a critical Project Manager position within the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for its high-priority Project Polaris. This newly opened role sits at the center of cross-team coordination for the multi-component initiative, serving as a key link between the PIU and the project’s dedicated corporate body, Polaris Development Company Ltd (PDCL).

    Unlike frontline operational roles that carry direct contractual, financial or on-the-ground construction risk responsibilities, this Project Manager position centers on structured coordination, consistent monitoring and centralized stakeholder reporting. The core mandate of the role is to ensure full alignment across all of Project Polaris’ key workstreams, which span construction oversight, financial management, regulatory compliance, and phased implementation sequencing.

    Breaking down the role’s key responsibilities, the first core area is integrated project controls and performance monitoring. The successful candidate will be tasked with maintaining a unified master project schedule that tracks all critical milestones, updating and managing the centralized project risk register, and regularly assessing whether PDCL’s delivery outputs align with the Government of Grenada’s overarching strategic objectives for the initiative. They will also be responsible for tracking key performance indicators and flagging any deviations from the approved project timeline.

    Second, the role carries primary accountability for governance and official reporting. This includes preparing formal submissions for the national Cabinet and its sub-committees, consolidating cross-functional technical, financial and performance reports from multiple workstreams, and developing high-level executive dashboards, stakeholder briefing notes, and summary reports for senior leadership. The position also requires maintaining organized decision logs and centralized documentation registers to ensure full institutional accountability.

    Third, the Project Manager will lead strategic integration and implementation sequencing. They will support coordinated alignment of procurement, financing and construction timelines, map and track interdependencies between all workstreams, and ensure that all government actions are synchronized with on-the-ground project delivery milestones.

    Fourth, the role covers proactive risk escalation and issue resolution. The incumbent will be expected to identify emerging risks to project delivery early, escalate policy-sensitive issues to relevant senior stakeholders in a timely manner, and monitor progress on all agreed corrective actions to ensure resolution.

    Finally, the role requires upholding rigorous documentation and institutional governance standards. This includes maintaining structured document control systems, enforcing clear version control for all official Cabinet submissions, and supporting the development of standardized reporting templates and formal governance protocols for the project.

    To be considered for the position, candidates must demonstrate a proven track record of strong project management and reporting capabilities, advanced analytical and risk-tracking skills, and high-quality written communication skills tailored for executive and government stakeholder briefings. The ideal candidate must also be able to navigate complex multi-stakeholder environments, demonstrate exceptional organizational skills, strict attention to accuracy, and sound discretion when handling sensitive government information, and have working familiarity with infrastructure and public sector governance frameworks.

    Formal educational and experience requirements include a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Public Administration, Business, Construction Management, or a related field, plus a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience. Candidates with prior experience working on infrastructure or capital projects, or in government program coordination, and with a background preparing official documentation for Cabinet or board-level governance bodies will be prioritized. Prior experience working with public-private partnerships (PPP), special purpose vehicles (SPV), or structured project financing environments is considered a strong added advantage.

    On the technical side, candidates must show advanced proficiency in the full Microsoft Office Suite, prior hands-on experience working with standard project scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet, demonstrated ability to build custom performance dashboards and consolidated reports, and a proven skill for synthesizing complex, multi-source data into clear, actionable insights for stakeholders.

    For candidates interested in applying, applications must include a formal cover letter outlining relevant experience and a detailed curriculum vitae. Submissions should be sent via email to [email protected], with copies copied to [email protected] and [email protected]. All emails must use the subject line “PDCL Application — Project Manager” to be correctly routed and considered. The closing deadline for all applications is 31 May 2026. The Government of Grenada notes that while all expressions of interest are appreciated, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for subsequent stages of the recruitment process.

    A disclaimer from NOW Grenada, the platform hosting the vacancy announcement, notes that the outlet is not responsible for the views, statements or content shared by contributing entities, and provides a channel for users to report any abusive content related to the posting.

  • Hon. Kerryne James advocates for inclusive energy integration

    Hon. Kerryne James advocates for inclusive energy integration

    The Africa Energy Technology Conference 2026, one of the continent’s leading gatherings focused on sustainable energy innovation and integration, recently hosted a high-stakes Ministerial Session centered on harmonizing cross-border policy frameworks for continental energy cooperation. Hon. Kerryne James, Grenada’s Minister of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy, joined the event as a featured distinguished panellist for the session, titled “The Policy Bridge: Harmonising Frameworks for Continental Integration”.

    This closed-door high-level dialogue brought together top policymakers, regulatory leaders and senior energy industry executives from across Africa and beyond, all gathered to address long-standing regulatory and policy barriers that have slowed progress on regional and continental energy trade and collaborative infrastructure development. Attendees agreed that fragmented national rules have long blocked the seamless flow of energy across borders, making it far harder to build the resilient, interconnected energy systems that are critical to expanding access and meeting climate goals. Session discussions centered on the urgent need to align divergent national legal frameworks, tariff structures, industry regulations and core energy policies, with a shared focus on how coordinated action can accelerate progress toward universal energy access, environmental sustainability and inclusive economic growth across the continent.

    During her interventions, Minister James drew attention to the unique position that small island developing states (SIDS) like Grenada occupy amid the global energy transition, highlighting both their disproportionate climate vulnerability and their untapped potential to lead on innovative renewable energy solutions. She emphasized that equitable global partnerships, adaptive regulatory structures, and accessible, inclusive financing models are non-negotiable to enable SIDS to fully engage in and benefit from emerging regional and international energy markets.

    Beyond policy and financing, Minister James used the high-profile platform to push for greater representation and meaningful leadership opportunities for women and youth across the global energy sector. She argued that inclusive progress cannot stop at token representation; instead, women and young people must be centered in core decision-making processes, elevated to senior leadership roles, and given direct access to deploy cutting-edge clean energy technologies.

    “Women and young people must not only be viewed as beneficiaries of the energy transition, but as innovators, leaders, and active contributors shaping the future of sustainable energy systems,” James told the gathered participants.

    She further added that targeted investments in human capacity building and intentional creation of accessible pathways for youth engagement are foundational to delivering a just, inclusive energy transition—especially for vulnerable developing economies that face the steepest barriers to climate action.

    Grenada’s presence at the 2026 Africa Energy Technology Conference underscores the Caribbean nation’s ongoing commitment to strengthening cross-border and global climate partnerships, scaling up domestic renewable energy deployment, and contributing valuable perspectives from small island states to global conversations about building sustainable, climate-resilient energy systems for all.

  • OM eist 20 jaar gevangenisstraf in zaak dodelijk schietincident Van Idsingaweg

    OM eist 20 jaar gevangenisstraf in zaak dodelijk schietincident Van Idsingaweg

    A high-profile criminal case involving a serving police officer accused of a fatal shooting has moved a step forward in Suriname’s judicial system, with public prosecutors formally requesting a 20-year unconditional prison term for the defendant identified as M.A.I. The sentencing demand was submitted to the Cantonal Court on May 21, stemming from the deadly shooting that occurred at an apartment complex on Van Idsingaweg in the Nickerie district back in October 2025.

    According to case details laid out by the Public Prosecution Service (OM), the defendant, who was an active police officer at the time of the incident, is accused of fatally shooting the victim, A.W.J., using his official service weapon during a confrontation at the residential location. Prosecutors have laid out a body of evidence collected during the investigation to support their charges, including witness testimonies, forensic analysis, and other verified investigative findings. These materials confirm that the victim was unarmed and seated inside his personal vehicle when the shooting took place.

    Further ballistic and forensic testing conducted by investigators links the bullet casings recovered at the crime scene directly to the service weapon issued to the defendant, a connection that prosecutors call highly probable. After reviewing all evidence, the OM has concluded that the legal threshold for a proven manslaughter conviction has been met beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutors have ruled out a more severe murder charge, however, noting that premeditation cannot be conclusively proven with the evidence currently available.

    When determining the length of the requested sentence, prosecutors incorporated multiple aggravating circumstances that they argue warrant the severe 20-year demand. A key factor is the defendant’s misuse of his official police-issued service weapon, a tool provided to him to protect public safety rather than to engage in lethal violence. The prosecution also highlighted the extreme severity of the violence used, the fact that the killing unfolded in a quiet residential neighborhood, and the profound harm the incident has caused to the victim’s surviving family members and nearby residents. Additional factors that pushed for a harsher sentence include the defendant’s position of public trust as a law enforcement officer, and his failure to accept responsibility for his actions or demonstrate any insight into the harm he caused.

  • Job Opportunity: Finance Manager

    Job Opportunity: Finance Manager

    Polaris Development Company Ltd (PDCL), the special purpose entity created to deliver Project Polaris — one of the government’s flagship infrastructure initiatives — has launched a search for a seasoned, highly qualified Finance Manager to lead its financial operations.

    As the company’s senior financial lead, the appointed Finance Manager will hold end-to-end responsibility for PDCL’s entire financial management function, spanning core activities from financial administration and accounting integrity to comprehensive budgeting, active cash flow oversight, and strict adherence to both lender stipulations and government statutory requirements. A core mandate of the role is embedding robust financial governance, transparent reporting protocols, and disciplined internal control systems across every phase of the project’s lifecycle. The role reports directly to PDCL’s Chief Executive Officer and provides critical analytical and reporting support to the company’s board of directors through accurate financial disclosures and proactive risk management.

    The position is structured around seven key responsibility areas. First, in financial planning and budget management, the successful candidate will develop and oversee capital expenditure budgets and financial forecasts, track ongoing spending to deliver variance analysis and early expenditure warnings, and contribute to long-term planning for the company’s financial sustainability.

    Second, for lender administration and compliance, the Finance Manager will oversee all drawdown processes aligned with the terms of existing financing agreements, guarantee full compliance with all lender conditions, financial covenants, and mandatory reporting requirements. They will also prepare required compliance certificates, formal financial reports, and drawdown requests, and maintain consistent, structured communication with lending partners, facility agents, and external auditors.

    Third, in accounting and internal controls, the role requires building and maintaining rigorous accounting systems and internal control frameworks, ensuring all financial records are maintained in a permanent audit-ready state and meet all statutory compliance standards, and overseeing all tax and regulatory reporting activities.

    Fourth, for payment and cash flow management, the Finance Manager will review payment applications submitted by project contractors, lead cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning to maintain stable operations, and ensure all fund disbursements are completed accurately and on schedule.

    Fifth, in financial reporting and board support, the appointee will prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual full financial statements, deliver tailored financial insights and reports to the CEO and board of directors, and identify emerging financial risks while proposing actionable mitigation strategies.

    Finally, the role carries dedicated risk management responsibilities, including ongoing monitoring of core financial risks such as potential cost overruns and covenant exposure, supporting financial assessments related to project claims, and maintaining structured regular reporting on the company’s financial risk profile.

    To be considered for the role, candidates must demonstrate advanced expertise in infrastructure finance and project-specific accounting, a solid working knowledge of public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks and PDCL’s unique financial structure, and prior experience managing lender compliance and complex financing arrangements. Candidates are expected to hold high professional standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability, paired with strong analytical, forecasting, and reporting capabilities, and the ability to translate complex financial data into clear insights for senior leadership and board stakeholders.

    Minimum educational and professional requirements include a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a closely related field. An active professional accounting designation such as CPA, ACCA, CA, or an equivalent global qualification is strongly preferred. Candidates must also have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, with prior work on infrastructure projects, PPP frameworks, or project-financed operational environments. Previous experience working with international lenders or development finance institutions is considered a valuable added asset for candidates. Technical requirements include advanced proficiency in financial modeling and Microsoft Excel, strong working knowledge of the full Microsoft Office Suite, and prior experience with accounting and project cost management systems is a preferred qualification.

    For candidates interested in applying, application packages including a detailed curriculum vitae and a tailored cover letter must be submitted via email to [email protected], with copies sent to [email protected] and [email protected]. All applications must use the subject line “PDCL Application — Finance Manager” to be correctly routed. The closing deadline for all submission is 31 May 2026. PDCL notes that while all applications are appreciated, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further recruitment steps.

    This posting was published with a disclaimer from NOW Grenada, which states that the outlet is not liable for the opinions, statements, or third-party content shared by contributors, and provides a channel for users to report any abusive content related to the posting.

  • Coaches urged to better communities

    Coaches urged to better communities

    A new initiative to strengthen grassroots cricket development across Barbados kicked off this month at the Wildey Gymnasium, bringing together nearly 30 aspiring community cricket coaches for an intensive two-week certification workshop. Hosted through a collaborative partnership between the Ministry of Sports and Community Empowerment, the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA), and the National Sports Council – which collectively cover all program costs – the training session will run from May 18 to May 29, equipping participants with both technical and soft skills critical for community-focused coaching.

    In his opening address to the cohort, Sports and Community Empowerment Minister Charles Griffith laid out a clear vision for the program, emphasizing that community coaches carry far more responsibility than just teaching cricket techniques: they are positioned to be transformative forces in the lives of young people across the island. Griffith urged attendees to center empathy in their coaching practice, noting that many participants in community sports programs face unforeseen personal or financial hardship off the pitch. “Don’t shout at your charges because you don’t know if someone just left home and came to this programme without eating or what difficulties they experienced prior to coming here,” he told the group.

    Beyond emotional intelligence, Griffith encouraged coaches to commit to continuous professional growth, urging them to adopt international best coaching practices to maintain high standards, regardless of whether they go on to coach locally, regionally, or globally. He stressed that excellence in coaching must always go hand in hand with connection to the communities and young people they serve, reminding the cohort that the program will be updated and expanded over time to remain aligned with evolving community needs.

    A core priority of the initiative, Griffith noted, is unlocking untapped cricket talent across Barbados’ neighborhoods. Instead of waiting for aspiring athletes to seek out coaching opportunities, the minister urged coaches to take a proactive approach to talent identification, starting with primary and secondary schools as key access points for young people. He also emphasized that talent scouting and programming must be fully inclusive of all genders, noting that expanded community coaching is a key tool to drive positive life outcomes for both young men and young women across the country. “It must be unisex in terms of identifying talent for coaching, but do what you have to do at the community level to better Barbados,” Griffith added.

    For participants who successfully complete the full two-week training, the workshop offers formal, recognized accreditation: coaches will earn both the Caribbean Coaching Certification and a specialized training certification from the National Sports Council. The curriculum covers core cricket technical skills, including batting, bowling, catching, fielding, and athlete performance evaluation. To round out the training, specialized sessions are led by external partners: the Barbados Red Cross delivers first aid training, while child safeguarding instruction is facilitated by Maressa Raghobar, a sport and exercise psychology trainee and member of the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences.

    The cricket coach workshop is just the first in a planned series of community coaching development programs from the Ministry of Sports and Community Empowerment. Similar initiatives focused on netball, football, basketball, and volleyball are already scheduled to launch in the near future, as the government works to build out a robust network of trained, community-focused coaches across multiple sports to support youth development across Barbados.