AMIDST THE call for more youth participation in cricket at the secondary level, First Global Bank (FGB) and GK General Insurance (GKGI), both members of the GraceKennedy Financial Group, have pumped over $9 million into the 2025 Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) schoolboy cricket season.

The events, now titled the Grace Shield Cricket Competition and the Grace Headley Cricket Competition, are powered by First Global Bank and GK General Insurance.

Speaking at the launch of the two competitions held at GraceKennedy on Harbour Street in Kingston, President and CEO of FGB, Radcliffe Daley, said the initiative is a labour of love, emphasising its focus on youth and community development.

“At First Global Bank, we’re deeply involved in the communities in which we do business. That same belief extends to youth and sports in which we’re actively involved. This year, as we remind our customers that we’re ‘always by your side,’ we remain steadfast in investing in communities, youth, and the next generation,” noted Daley.

He added, “As we work to develop our nation, youth development is an area of critical importance – not just for the Bank, but for the GraceKennedy Group as a whole, as reflected in the leadership of our Group CEO, Don Wehby.”

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Forty-three schools have registered to play in the 2025 season and while the number of schools participating this year has fallen, students present at the launch, including 2024 winners Excelsior High School, were encouraged by those who brought remarks.

General Manager for GKGI, Chaluk Richards, urged the young cricketers to transfer the skills they learn in sport.

“Being part of this competition could mean you go professional; or you may choose not to, but nonetheless, you are learning things about yourself and others to shape how you view your life and your world. These things will help you win the game and win in life. The transferable skills you learn in cricket will push you to do more – mentally, physically, and by fostering a growth mindset as you develop yourself and contribute to your community.”

With Excelsior ready to make it to another final, despite having lost senior members, coach Kirkland Bailey is optimistic about this season.

“We’re working hard and we’re looking to compete as usual. We are the defending champions and we hope when the season ends, we will find ourselves playing in those finals. The team is a talented one, and we’ve added some good replacements, so we should be very competitive throughout the season.”

The 2025 Grace Shield Grace Headley Cricket competitions powered by First Global Bank & GK General Insurance are scheduled to bowl off on Tuesday.