DURING the next two months, over 8,000 students from 140 primary schools across Jamaica will benefit from cricket expertise as the 2015 Scotiabank/West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Kiddy Cricket programme was launched at Sabina Park yesterday.

The programme, which started last Wednesday, will continue through the month of February culminating at the Kiddy Cricket Festival on March 13, where approximately 80 boys and girls will be chosen and given the opportunity to showcase their skills at the international display during the West Indies and Australia match at Sabina Park in June. The programme culminates in July with a four-day training camp.

Speaking at the media function, Scotiabank’s vice-president of marketing, public and corporate affairs, Monique Todd, has given her company’s commitment to go another innings after 13 consecutive years at the crease sponsoring the youth-development programme.

“At Scotiabank we always place a huge emphasis on youth development, whether that is through education, sports or health care… that when we invest in our youth we invest in the future of Jamaica,” Todd said.

“Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket programme teaches boys and girls how to play the game, and fosters a love of learning, while building leadership skills in the classroom and on the field. This programme has created a solid foundation for basic cricketing skills, including batting, bowling, fielding, wicketkeeping, personal life style development and the history of the game,” Todd added.

Jamaica Cricket Association’s (JCA) chief executive officer, Courtney Francis, thanked Scotiabank for its commitment in sponsoring the programme, and hoped that the partnership will continue for a long time.

“Let me congratulate Scotiabank again as a part of their corporate responsibility to step up to the plate and to ensure that this programme, the Kiddy Cricket Programme, once again takes off. The programme has also expanded as there is a 100 per cent increase in schools from last year to this year, and Scotiabank should be applauded for that.

“The JCA’s aim is to develop cricket in the country, and Scotiabank continues to play a significant role in the process and we thank them and hope that the partnership continues,” said Francis.

Also speaking at the launch, Phillip Service, Kiddy Cricket Programme coordinator, said that the focus is on expanding the reach of the programme to students across the island, while building the capacity of teachers through training in coaching, and developing cricket skills set.