by Nisha Paul
- Riverbank Basketball Development Project is a multi-phase initiative
- Project expected to strengthen youth development pathways
- Implemented across 7 phases, with completion targeted for September 2026
For years, young basketball players in St David trained under difficult conditions, often without proper lighting, facilities, or a formal league structure.
Last Sunday, that reality began to change with the official launch of the Riverbank Basketball Development Project, a multi-phase initiative aimed at transforming the historic Riverbank grounds into a modern community sporting hub.
The project is being led by the St David Basketball League, in collaboration with the St David Parish Sports Council, and in partnership with the Grenada National Basketball Association. Organisers said the initiative is designed not only to upgrade infrastructure, but to create clear development pathways for young people through sport.
Brian James, Interim President of the St David Basketball League, reflected on the league’s 4-year effort to establish a structured basketball programme within the parish. “St David has traditionally been competitive in basketball,” but James noted that the absence of a formal league forced many players to train and compete outside the parish, often under challenging conditions. He recalled early training sessions at facilities without lighting or adequate amenities, crediting the determination of players and coaches for keeping the sport alive, and that “regional development exposure, including camps in Trinidad, helped lay the groundwork for athletes progressing to club, intercollegiate, and national levels.”
According to James, the Riverbank Basketball Development Project will be implemented across 7 phases, with completion targeted for September 2026. Planned upgrades include full court resurfacing, new backboards, improved lighting, seating for approximately 150 spectators, modern washroom facilities, and a multifunctional community and media room.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the project places strong emphasis on capacity building. Plans include the training of at least 12 local coaches and assistant coaches, certification of referees and table officials, and the provision of equipment to support youth and grassroots basketball programmes throughout the parish. Organisers have conducted structured consultations with residents, youth representatives, and local businesses to ensure the project reflects community needs.
Significant preparatory work has already been completed, including a major clean-up exercise supported by the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Solid Waste Management Authority, which saw derelict vehicles removed and the Riverbank site cleared.
Addressing the launch, Senator Seville Francis, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, described the project as an example of how community-driven initiatives can align with national development priorities. She noted that sport remains “one of the most effective tools for building discipline, teamwork, leadership, and resilience,” adding that “many national leaders and athletes began their journeys on community courts similar to Riverbank.”
Senator Francis explained that the project aligns with the ministry’s 2023–2027 strategic mandate, which focuses on youth mobilisation, training, activation, and opportunity creation. She said Riverbank demonstrates how deliberate investment and collaboration between government, parish councils, and community leaders can produce long-term social benefits. She also commended the organisers, coaches, and volunteers whose sustained commitment forms the backbone of the initiative, and encouraged young athletes to treat the Riverbank court as a safe space for growth, learning, and excellence, whether through national competition, coaching, or lifelong participation in sport.
Chairperson of the St David Parish Sports Council Justin Courtney, described the Riverbank grounds as a historic sporting space that once produced national cricket players and expressed confidence that the renewed focus on basketball would yield similar success. He also conveyed the endorsement of Patrick Simmons, Chairperson of the Grenada National Sports Council, who has praised the initiative as a model for parish-level sports development. According to Courtney, the National Sports Council is developing an “action-oriented framework based on the St David experience (intended) to guide other parishes and sporting disciplines across the country.”
The Riverbank Basketball Development Project is expected to strengthen youth development pathways, promote healthier lifestyles, enhance community engagement, and reinforce sport as a vital tool for national development.
As construction approval and procurement processes move forward, organisers remain optimistic that Riverbank will soon emerge as a modern sporting hub, one that honours its history while shaping a new future for basketball and community sport in St David.
