Gayle Cricket Club batting for St Mary - Takes top spot in SDC/ Wray & Nephew T20

Gayle Cricket Club has been the perfect example of the Social Development Commission’s (SDC) mandate and Wray & Nephew’s ‘Share Our Spirit’ mantra by repeatedly using their platform to build, unite and uplift the communities in and around their home parish.

That initiative gained a welcomed boost on Sunday as the Gayle team put on a powerful batting display for a four-wicket win over Orange Hill of Westmoreland, to capture their first SDC/Wray and Nephew National Community T20 Championship and with it, a $1.2 million prize.

“Our goal was to go as far as possible in the tournament, as the further you advanced, the more the prize money there is to win for our community,” said Jermaine Chisholm, who hit an unbeaten 72, which included three massive sixes in the final over, from which the Gayle team needed 19 runs to win off the final six deliveries of the run chase.

“We have a very strong bond within this team,” said Sheldon Pryce, Gayle CC’s captain. “We are from the same communities, and we have been playing together for a number of years now. In fact, all the members of our team attended the same high school in the parish, and that is another reason for our strong bond, as we have united under a common cause to improve the facilities at our alma mater, so the current students can benefit.”

The 2018 St. Mary Parish Champions have been busy advocating for improved educational facilities within several communities.

Committed

Subsequently, they have managed to fix the roofs, as well as paint and give facelifts to the Goshen Primary and Mile Gully Basic Schools. With the $1.2 million prize money in the bank, Gayle CC is now set to use the allotted 15 per cent from the purse, to assist with facilities and other infrastructural upgrades at the Barclay Town Basic and Tacky High schools.

Nadia Kiffin-Green, marketing Manager J. Wray and Nephew Limited applauds the commitment of the Gayle CC players.

“Their commitment to community development deserves praise. We love projects that allow groups of people to build strong and lasting relationships in a positive manner.

This is the spirit that is required to help build great communities and we are pleased with the opportunity provided by the Social Development Commission to assist these persons in fulfilling their commitment,” said Kiffin-Green.

Dwayne Vernon, Executive Director of the SDC, was on hand at the final on Sunday. Vernon was full of praises for the Gayle team as well as the impact of cricket, and sport by extension, as a social development tool.

“Cricket has the power to unite and energise people and communities. The Gayle team is an example of that, as they have been able to garner much support from their community, while building schools and supporting community initiatives. They are recognising the social impact they can have,” explained Vernon.