Play for the Mangroves holds first event in Jamaica ahead of Green Sports Day
By Ismael Diaz
Kids + sports + environmental education = a winning combination! On September 19, Seacology kicked off its newest Play for the Mangroves program in St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica. Following successful rollouts in the Dominican Republic and the Philippines, Jamaica is now the third nation to host Play for the Mangroves, our unique initiative that combines support for youth sports with hands-on education about mangroves. The program has already provided more than 5,000 kids with the gear they need to play their favorite sports, and introduced them to the miraculous mangrove ecosystems in and around their communities.
The Jamaica launch was held at the Galleon Beach Fish Sanctuary, where kids could see for themselves why mangrove protection matters. St. Elizabeth is home to some of Jamaica’s largest and most important mangrove areas, which protect the country’s southwestern coastline from storms, support fisheries by serving as nurseries for marine life, and are a haven for many species of birds.
Students from four local primary schools participated. They were joined by representatives from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), local government, churches, ecotourism operators, and our local partner, the Breds Foundation. During the opening ceremony the children got new uniforms and soccer and netball equipment, which they will use in upcoming Play for the Mangroves competitions.
Kids from St. Elizabeth Parish receive new jerseys, soccer balls, and other equipment.
Jamaica's southwest is home to some of the country's largest and most important mangrove forests.
After lunch, everyone joined in for a mangrove cleanup. One student delivered a heartfelt message of thanks, reminding all present of the importance of inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.
Television Jamaica (TVJ) covered the event, giving the initiative national visibility and underscoring the community’s excitement.
The passion and energy at the Jamaica launch of Play for the Mangroves show just how much potential this program has. That potential was recognized this summer by the Green Sports Alliance, an organization that works to make sports more sustainable. In June the GSA awarded Seacology the 2025 Community Impact Award in recognition of Play for the Mangroves’ impact in making a tangible difference for communities, reducing inequality, and contributing to positive social change.
Each year, the GSA also hosts Green Sports Day, which highlights leaders in the global movement to make sports more sustainable. As a GSA member, Seacology will be taking the occasion to celebrate the expansion of Play for the Mangroves into Jamaica. Follow Seacology and Play for the Mangroves on Instagram for highlights from this inaugural event and more, as we approach Green Sports Day on October 6.
If you’d like to help inspire the next generation of sports and conservation leaders, we hope you’ll consider making a gift to support the Play for the Mangroves.
Ismael Diaz is a program coordinator for Play for the Mangroves in the Dominican Republic.