Kingston, November 9, 2018 –The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced increased and equal prize money for the winners in this year’s Institute of Sports Primary School Football and Netball Competitions.
"We have increased your prize money in a significant way,” Minister Grange said at the launch of the competitions today at the National Indoor Sports Centre.
“Last year, in football the champion team received a $150,000; this year the champion will receive $200,000 and to maintain gender equality we have moved the netball prize from $100,000 last year to $200,000 also,” Minister Grange said.
She said that equalling the prize money fits directly into the work of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport to promote and reinforce gender equality in society.
Minister Grange also announced an increase in prizes for runners-up, third and fourth places, parish champions and the most disciplined player.
According to the Minister, the Institute of Sports, an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport had to “step up” its prizes due to the increase in participants. The number of schools participating in the football and netball competitions moved from 136 to 390 and 50 to 195 respectively.
Minister Grange said also that 60 coaches will be certified based on the performance of their team in both the netball and football competitions. This is an increase from last year at which time only 16 football coaches were certified through the CONCACAF D License Coaching Course while no netball coaches were certified in the programme.
During the training, the coaches will have to attend a Child Care and Protection Seminar which is in keeping with Ministry’s programme for safeguarding children in sports.
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