HUNDREDS OF YOUNG FANS ATTEND THE 1st ODI IN JAMAICA AS CWI OPENS GATES TO THE WI OUTSIDE HOME SERIES
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hundreds of student-athletes attended the opening ODI against Sri Lanka at Sabina Park as part of ISSA Day celebrations.
- Children aged 16 and under receive free admission to every West Indies Home Series match this summer when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.
- CWI CEO Chris Dehring: "It is more than access; it is part of their inheritance and a fundamental right."
ST JOHN'S, Antigua – Hundreds of young cricket fans and student-athletes helped create a vibrant atmosphere at Sabina Park on Wednesday as Cricket West Indies (CWI) launched a season-long initiative to provide free admission for children aged 16 and under to every match of the 2026 "WI Outside!" West Indies Home Series.
The opening One-Day International against Sri Lanka was designated ISSA Day, with a deliberate start time of 9:30 AM to facilitate the attendance of hundreds of students through a partnership between CWI and Jamaica's Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA). Their presence transformed the venue into a celebration of youth, sport and Caribbean pride, underscoring CWI's commitment to reconnecting young people with the game.
The strong turnout formed part of a wider initiative that will see children aged 16 and under receive free entry to all West Indies home matches this summer across Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.
CWI Chief Executive Officer Chris Dehring said the scenes at Sabina Park demonstrated exactly why the initiative was introduced.
"West Indies cricket belongs to the people of this region, and that includes every child who dreams of one day wearing the maroon or simply wants to experience the excitement of international cricket,"
said Dehring.
"Seeing so many young people in the stands at Sabina Park was a powerful reminder of what is possible when we remove barriers and create opportunities for children to connect with the game. I also want to extend a special thank you to ISSA and President Keith Wellington for partnering with us. Their support was key in helping to make this initiative a reality.”
“Beyond the boundary, we have a tremendous opportunity to create a space where children can simply come and enjoy the game. It is more than access; it is part of their inheritance and a fundamental right. By opening our gates to young fans, we are investing in the future of West Indies cricket and helping to build lifelong connections with the game”,
he concluded.
President of ISSA, Keith Wellington, welcomed the partnership and its potential to reignite interest in cricket among young Jamaicans.
"We believe that cricket is a valuable learning opportunity for our students, not just those who are engaged in the sport itself but for those who are members of our school population. If they participate in the game of cricket, whether as players or through other activities around the sport, it provides an opportunity to develop discipline and to better understand West Indian people, culture and history."
"Therefore, this partnership with Cricket West Indies will enhance interest in the game across our schools. Hopefully, we can ensure that the game is revitalised, that our talents can be unearthed, and that we can play our part in bringing West Indies cricket back to the very top where it belongs”,
said Wellington.
The free-entry programme forms part of CWI's broader vision of making international cricket more accessible, family-friendly and community-focused while ensuring that young Caribbean people have every opportunity to be inspired by the players who represent them on the world stage.
From the Sri Lanka Series through to the final matches of the home season, young fans across the region will have the opportunity to experience international cricket free of charge and create memories that could spark a lifelong connection with West Indies cricket.
Families are encouraged to take advantage of the initiative throughout the summer and bring the next generation of West Indies supporters to the cricket.