FOREWORD
The Honourable Charles Griffith, M.P
Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment
It is with immense pleasure and pride as the Minister responsible for Sports, that I offer this foreword to “Sporting Barbados” which meticulously captures the heart and soul of the sporting landscape in Barbados. This magazine represents a celebration of Barbados’ passion, resilience, and extraordinary talent which has defined our sporting culture.
The timing of this publication is especially significant. As a government, we are actively driving a comprehensive, holistic agenda to transform our sporting infrastructure which is anchored in the vision of our National Sports Policy to elevate sports as a central pillar of national identity, social development, a n d economic prosperity by 2032.
A key component of this transformation is the fundamental reform of our sports governance model. To meet the demands of a modern, commercially driven, and high-performance environment, the National Sports Council (NSC) will be dissolved and replaced with a new entity which is fit for purpose and can drive the development of sports nationally, regionally and internationally. Additionally, the NSC’s old headquarters at Blenheim is being repositioned to serve as a National Sports Secretariat, providing federations with a centralized, professional base of operations.
Furthermore, to the delight of sports fans, infrastructural work is ongoing at the Netball Stadium to transition that facility into a modern, covered stadium to accommodate netball, volleyball and basketball. This new stadium will function as a dynamic hub for indoor sports and encourage community engagement. Our athletes will benefit from a facility which will provide them with opportunities to train in world-class conditions, thus enhancing their competitiveness.
Conversely, Barbados will benefit from hosting regional and international games in these sports which will lead to opportunities for sports tourism and economic growth.
Another major infrastructural project is the installation of the new 400m athletic track at Wildey, a facility which is being constructed to meet international standards and provide opportunities for training and competition. Another 400m track has been earmarked for the south-east of the country at Bushy Park, St. Phillip. These developments are critical to Barbados’ athletic development and will address a gap in the country’s track and field infrastructure and will complement the National Stadium.
The current National Stadium project includes a 10 000-seat grandstand on the western side of the stadium, as well as a 400-metre international-standard warm-up track. Phase Il will entail a 10 000-seat grandstand on the eastern side, to bring the capacity of the stadium to instilling teamwork, discipline, and leadership-while opening doors to opportunities both within and beyond the boundaries of cricket.
At the same time, our Community Sports Training Programme continues to reach hundreds of young men and women islandwide, offering access to football, netball, road tennis, basketball, and more. Complementing these are the National Sports Council’s wide-ranging initiatives, which provide children and seniors with opportunities in swimming, fitness, and other health and wellness activities-reminding us that strong communities begin with good health.
Looking to the future, the Ministry has also commissioned a Youth Sports Survey to better understand the sporting disciplines that captivate our primary and secondary school students. These insights will guide policy and help us build platforms that increase youth participation in sport across the nation.
We are especially proud of the strides made in advancing our indigenous sport, road tennis. In 2025, two young Barbadians made history by securing 1st and 3rd place in the men’s competition-a powerful reminder of the talent that exists right here at home. At the same time, progress is being made toward the official certification of road tennis coaches, with the programme now in its final quality-assurance stages. Once complete, these certifications will be recognized locally, regionally, and internationally, creating new opportunities for our coaches and athletes alike. With this momentum, 2026 promises to be a landmark year for road tennis on the world stage.
Together, these initiatives reflect more than just programmes-they reflect our vision of sport as a driver of opportunity, community, and national pride. As we look ahead, the Ministry r e m a i n s committed to empowering our youth, strengthening our communities, and celebrating sport as a cornerstone of Barbadian identity.
While we build out our various disciplines and spaces for the development of sports in Barbados, we also keep in focus the National Sports Policy’s emphasis on a Digital Sports Sector, and with this in mind, the Ministry is actively pursuing initiatives to leverage technology for greater efficiency and public engagement.
A key deliverable on our journey forward is the development of a National Sports Mobile Application and Integrated Calendar. This innovative digital platform will serve as a centralized hub for the public, federations, and organisations to connect with Barbados’ vibrant sporting landscape.
The App will feature:
• Centralized Calendar - A single, comprehensive schedule of community, national, and regional sporting events, accessible to both the public and visitors to our island.
• Information Hub – Easy access to results, athlete profiles, facility booking information, and contact details for all National Sporting Organisations.
• Community Engagement – Greater promotion of grassroots programmes, including the Community Sports Programme and youth initiatives, ensuring opportunities are visible and accessible to all.
This digital transformation is not simply about convenience—it represents a bold step toward professionalizing the sports sector, enhancing visibility for our athletes, and ensuring that Barbados’ sporting events are easily discoverable. Equally, it strengthens our position in the growing field of sports tourism, while building systems that support the development of the next generation of athletes.
In conclusion, as we advance on this transformative path, it is clear that sports in Barbados is more than competition—it is community, it is culture, and it is opportunity. From infrastructural reform to grassroots training, from digital innovation to safeguarding the integrity of fair play, we are laying a foundation that will empower generations of athletes to thrive both on and off the field.
This foreword, like this edition of Sporting Barbados, is a celebration of the past, a recognition of the present, and a bold statement of intent for the future. Together, with the unwavering support of our people, our federations, and our partners, we will continue to elevate sport as a beacon of national pride and as a powerful engine for social and economic development.
It is therefore with confidence and optimism that I invite you to journey with us—supporting, celebrating, and shaping the future of sport in Barbados. The road ahead is bright, and together, we will ensure that our athletes, our communities, and our nation rise to even greater heights.
The Hon. Charles Griffith, M.P