The Social Development Commission (SDC) is committed to fostering community engagement and development by effectively leveraging sports and community-driven initiatives to achieve its mission. Through its Sports for Community Development Programme (SCDP) initiative, which engages residents through sports while promoting life skills, unity and economic opportunities, the SDC has been positively impacting communities islandwide. During fiscal year 2024/25, the agency implemented 166 community sports initiatives, including football leagues, track-and-field clinics, cricket and domino tournaments. Executive Director, Omar Frith, informs JIS News that these activities involved a diverse group of stakeholders, including schools, churches, private sector organizations and government agencies. This collaboration fostered a strategic partnership approach to ensure sustainable and lasting impacts. He notes that the SCDP also aims to promote social inclusion and reduce barriers that could hinder community participation. “Through the SCDP, we are not just developing athletes, we’re building platforms for community engagement and intervention. Sport at the SDC is seen as a vehicle to drive energies in communities, thereby enhancing integration,” Mr. Frith points out. He indicates that among the life skills developed through the SCDP are teamwork, discipline, leadership and resilience. Additionally, Mr. Frith says the SDC’s national mandate prioritises sport as a tool for cultural and economic advancement. “We have seen measurable success. In Clarendon, youth football leagues help to reduce gang recruitment, while Portland’s track clinics uncovered Olympic hopefuls. No community is too small to dream big,” the Executive Director tells JIS News. Recently, the community of Flankers in St. James buzzed with activity as 12 teams participated in the local netball competition hosted by the Commission under the SCDP. The competition was staged in partnership with Member of Parliament for St. James North Western, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, along with Councillor for the Montego Bay North East Division, Senator Charles Sinclair. The event brought residents together as they enthusiastically cheered for their favourite teams. Shanique Thompson, Captain of the winning team – Pelle Drive – commends the organisers. She notes that “the competition is not just a game, it’s a movement” which has contributed significantly to the lives of persons within the community. “Seeing our neighbours here, cheering us on, shows what we can achieve together. The SDC gave us this stage and we are proud to represent Flankers,” Ms. Thompson adds. Meanwhile, SDC Parish Manager for St. James, Tova Trench Anderson, informs that the Flankers Netball Competition exemplifies how grassroots sports can ignite community development. “This initiative in Flankers… is nurturing talent and reinforcing the social cohesion that holds our communities together. Every pass, every cheer, strengthens our social fabric. Our sponsors didn’t just fund this event, they invested in the building of a stronger, more united and healthier community,” she points out. As the SDC continues to attract and engage communities in exciting, participatory and unifying activities, the aim is to strategically expand its sports initiatives during fiscal year 2025/26. The Social Development Commission is the principal community development agency working with Jamaica’s 775 communities. It is an agency of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.