The Social Development Commission (SDC) Wray & Nephew National Community Cricket
Competition returns to communities in 2021 for its fourteenth anniversary. The inauguration of
this year’s competition took place on May 22, 2021 with a total of 202 cricket teams representing
approximately 250 communities.
The emergence of Covid-19 in 2020 brought several operational challenges that ultimately led to
the cancellation of last year’s 2020 National Community Cricket Competition (NCCC). Learned
experiences and strategic planning have allowed the Commission to continue the execution of its
mandate for community development through its operational programmes.
Under the Sports for Community Development Programme, the SDC has developed strategic
changes that are guided as per established protocols set by the government of Jamaica. According
to the Senior Programme Coordinator, Terrence Richards said, “The SDC is elated to have been
granted the privilege to once again host the National Community Cricket Competition, the
competition is being held under strict observance of the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA)
and as such several protocols have been developed and approved by the Office of Disaster
Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). These protocols will be modified as the
protocols of the DRMA are adjusted. We look forward to another spectacular year of competition.”
“The communities are equally excited about the prospect of this year’s competition and are
committed to ensuring that they play their part in making the competition a success” he added.
The competition for this year will see an increase in prize monies for teams in the parish and
national phase. “The teams have also expressed their satisfaction in the increase in prize monies
to be paid this year to the first-place national champion of 1.5 million dollars and an increase of
$300,000, $600,000, $300,000, and $150,000 will be awarded to the second, third and fourth
place runner ups respectively. At the parish phase, each parish champion team will receive
$120,000 and an increase of $20,000, $60,000, $30,000, and $20,000 will be awarded to second,
third and fourth place runner ups respectively,” Mr. Richardes added.
Throughout the 2019 NCCC season, two (2) pilot competitions in the form of the Women’s T/10
and a Masters T/20 competition were played, registering 16 teams respectively island-wide. These
successful pilots have now become incorporated with the SDC National T/20 Competition for the
2021 season.
For any community team that enters the competition, they should note that SDC rules stipulate
that all top four placed teams must give a minimum of 15% of their prize money is allocated to a
major project that will address a need identified in their community. “We are confident that
community teams will continue the tradition of selecting worthwhile projects as a give back to
their community and will continue the practice of joining with other community stakeholders in
expanding the project beyond the team’s contribution” stated Mr. Richards.
The 2019 T/20 National Community Cricket champions, Gayle Cricket Club used their prize monies
to renovate the physical education unit at Tacky High School located in Gayle, St. Mary. Renovation
activities primarily included repainting classrooms and replacement of damaged infrastructure
within the school’s multi-purpose auditorium.
Additionally, in a show of comradery and networking developed among groups through the NCCC,
the 2nd place national winner, Orange Cricket team from Westmoreland and champion teams
from the Westmoreland NCCC parish phase, the Masters and Woman T/10 Competition opted to
contribute all prize money totaling over eight hundred thousand dollars, along with their time and
other resources to the completion of their community project approved by the SDC. This project
saw the rebuilding of a section of a house damaged by fire, for a family of four (4), three of who
played in the NCCC 2019.
The SDC National Community Cricket Competition is an annual event now in its fourteenth year
since commencement. It has shown significant growth in community participation and continues
to bolster community engagement, foster youth inclusion and enhance positive attitudes towards
national development.