Corporate giants Grace Kennedy, through its subsidiaries First Global and GK General Insurance, have made a significant investment of $9 million in the 2025 season of the ISSA Schoolboy Cricket competitions. This commitment was officially announced on Monday during a launch event at the Grace Kennedy headquarters in Kingston.

The investment will support both the corporate area Grace Shield and the rural area Grace Headley Cup competitions, two of the most prestigious schoolboy cricket tournaments in Jamaica. This year’s staging of the ISSA Grace Shield will run from January 26 to April 30 and will see the participation of 43 schools from across the island.

As anticipation builds for the new season, Excelsior High School will be looking to defend their Grace Shield title, while Manchester High School will seek to retain their Headley Cup crown. Both teams will face strong competition as schools from across the island prepare to compete in what promises to be an exciting and competitive season.

This major investment by Grace Kennedy, which first began with GK’s sponsorship of the ISSA Grace Shield in 2001, highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to the development of sports and youth talent in Jamaica.

GK Group CEO Don Wehby commented, “Our longstanding support of schoolboy cricket in Jamaica is a part of our long-term commitment to our youth, our schools, sports development and our country.

This competition is the gold standard, and we see it as a great way to give back to our community, help develop future cricket stars and contribute to a sport that impacts so many Jamaicans in a positive way.”