Competitive softball is set to reclaim its place across secondary schools in the Virgin Islands with plans already underway to extend the initiative to primary schools in the near future.
The announcement came as a beacon of hope during the grand opening ceremony for the 2024 Raymond “Mahassa” Mercer & Kathleen Fahie National Fast Pitch League.
Honourable Sharie De Castro, the Minister for Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports, stood at the forefront of this momentous occasion, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships and youth-centric programs in revitalizing softball in the territory.
In a stirring address, Minister De Castro underscored the collaborative efforts between the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Virgin Islands Softball-Baseball Association. Together, she said they aim to breathe new life into the sport by nurturing talent from grassroots levels upwards, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled athletes for regional and international competitions.
The minister’s unwavering dedication to youth empowerment through sports was palpable as she reiterated her ministry’s unwavering commitment to fostering holistic development in the territory.
Highlighting tangible progress, Minister De Castro revealed a significant uptick in government funding towards sports, with a notable increase of $1.4 million since 2022.
The sports minister assured stakeholders that further details regarding the initiatives will be forthcoming.
The announcement of the softball revival initiative holds special significance, as it marks the first time competitive softball will grace school grounds since 2017. This return marks a fitting tribute to the late Terrence “Chino” Chinnery, who spearheaded the sport’s development during his tenure at the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports.