SDC/Wray and Nephew T20 provides lift for communities

In addition to unearthing new talent in the local cricket arena, the Social Development Commission (SDC) and Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum’s National Community T20 Cricket tournament has provided significant economic impact islandwide.

Produced under the SDC’s Sports for Community Development Programme, the competition has resulted in increased social interaction, cohesion and camaraderie across communities, as well as encouraging local economic sustainability for small business operators and community members in the country’s 14 parishes.

Nadia Kiffin-Green, marketing manager at J. Wray and Nephew Limited, applauds the consistency of the SDC in engaging the communities in various ways that assist in boosting the economy at the community level.

“We at Wray and Nephew acknowledge that the entertainment value of the tournament is very important. However, the local economies must benefit for the continued longevity of the SDC/Wray and Nephew’s National Community T20 Cricket Championship. The engagement and the development of various teams’ and communities allow for persons to have fun and earn at the same time,” said Kiffin-Green.

Public Relations Manager at the SDC, Mandel McKulsky, said apart from engaging some 5,000 players, along with groundsmen, umpires and scorers, the tournament is also an economic springboard for vendors and other business persons, who use the matches as an opportunity to boost their earnings.

“There is no entry fee to attend any matches, except the finals. The SDC uses the competition to bolster community engagement as well as promote local economic development. This effort resulted in vendors plying their wares and benefitting from income generation and increased employment for local entrepreneurs and community groups,” McKulsky said.

Kingston-based snow-cone and popcorn vendor Gary Royes is one small vendor who has benefited from doing business during the competition. “It is definitely a great boost, and I have benefited from doing business at the tournament for years. It has always been a good day for sales,” he said.

GIVING BACK

“The tournament has always been geared towards building communities. A significant feature of the competition is the stipulation that 15 per cent of all prize monies won by the teams at the parish and national phase goes directly to the implementation of a community-based project that the teams themselves implement,” McKulsky added.

The SDC/National Community T20 Cricket Competition has been ongoing for 12 years and Wray and Nephew has joined as title sponsor for this 13th year. The now SDC/Wray and Nephew National Community T20 Cricket competition has maintained the theme; ‘Building Communities, Building Jamaica’.

This year’s competition was won by St Mary-based team, Gayle Cricket Club.