Kingston, 22 March 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has provided national women’s cricketer, Rashada Williams, with assistance to continue her university education.

Williams, who is reading for a first degree in Physical Education, has been given Five Hundred Thousand Dollars (J$500,000) to assist with tuition expenses.

Presenting a cheque to the young cricketer, Minister Grange said:
“In this particular case, I’m extremely proud because I happen to be the Member of Parliament. Rashada lives in my constituency. She’s a product of Spanish Town.

Through the Sports Development Foundation, she’s getting assistance to continue her education. And I really want to thank the Sports Development Foundation for the support that they’re giving her [and I want] to encourage her to continue to strive to be the best.”

Rashada Williams said the assistance would “fill a major gap” as she moves to complete her undergraduate studies.

The young cricketer dreams of becoming “a cemented player in the West Indies team” and a source of “empowerment to the future generation”.

Minister Grange described Williams as a inspirational cricketer who “did not get a chance to play in school [as she was not allowed to play on the boys’ team]; there was not a female league that she could participate in, but in spite of that, she continued to work and she continues to do well”.

Minister Grange said “I really want to encourage her. Whatever support that can be given to her through the Sports Development Foundation I will advocate for her; and I know that she will make Jamaica proud.”

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