EC Global Insurance has collaborated with the National Community Foundation (NCF) to stage the Annual Schools Chess Tournament.
Other contributing partners included the Rotary Club of Saint Lucia, Peace Corp Volunteers, Teachers and Students of the respective schools.
The Chess in Schools Programme is intended to develop students’ critical thinking and reasoning skills to enable them to improve their academic performance. The winners of previous tournaments have gone on to excel in their respective educational pursuits.
EC Global has pledged its continued commitment to this initiative which continues to bear much fruit and provide our youth with an opportunity to develop their intellectual capacity and prepare for the challenges of higher education and leadership roles at the community and national level.
Agency & Operations Manager at EC Global, Anne Marie Herman, stated: “For us at EC Global, the Schools Chess Tournament represents a sound investment in the development of our young people. The positive impact of chess on academic performance and the holistic development of our students is well documented, and as such, we are committed to the future growth of this Programme. ”
Executive Director of the NCF, Madonna Monrose, thanked EC Global for the ongoing support of the Chess Tournament. She said: “We have been one of the main agencies developing chess in the schools, and in addition we have also noted much progress with the introduction of chess through community groups. Chess is a tool for social and behavioural change. It equips you with the skills to think rationally before you act – sound lessons for us as a people to learn.”
This year’s Tournament was staged at the Castries Town Hall on July 3rd 2014. At the end of the day-long Tournament the winners were as follows:
In the Advanced Category: 1st Place – Dion Recaii of St. Mary’s College; 2nd Place – Omar Combie of Leon Hess Comprehensive and 3rd Place – Azemyah Celestin of Castries Comprehensive. In the Beginner Category: 1st Place Dillan James of Laborie Boys Primary; 2nd Place – Sarah Fletcher of Ave Maria Girls Primary and 3rd Place Winner – Jaden Darcheville of Laborie Boys Primary School. Fifteen (15) schools participated in this year’s tournament.
