CPL-UWI partnership opens applications for 10th edition of internship programme

The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) Faculty of Sport have opened applications for their joint internship programme ahead of the 2026 tournament.

Now entering its tenth year, the initiative continues to bridge academic development with industry experience, embedding students within one of cricket’s most vibrant commercial landscapes.

The 2026 iteration, running from July to September, will select 21 students to join the tournament’s marketing division. Participants have the option to pair their field experience with a fully accredited, three-credit Sports Marketing course.

The academic module is delivered online by UWI lecturers and is designed to provide conceptual grounding that interns will apply on the ground during the tournament.

With Jamaica returning as a host venue alongside Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad & Tobago, the tournament footprint spans seven nations.

Interns will be integrated into local operational and promotional frameworks, gaining exposure to the logistical realities of a major franchise tournament.

Over its decade-long run, the programme has established a reliable pipeline for regional sports administration, with several alumni transitioning into full-time roles within the CPL and the wider sports entertainment sector.

Pete Russell, the CPL chief executive, highlighted the expanding scale of the operation as the tournament prepares for its largest iteration yet. “As we enter the tenth year of this programme, it is incredibly rewarding to see how many young Caribbean professionals have used this opportunity as a launchpad for their careers,” Russell said.

“The internship gives students genuine hands-on experience in a fast-paced international sporting environment, and every year they make an important contribution to the CPL team. With the addition of Jamaica as a host venue for 2026, this year’s programme promises to be our biggest and most exciting yet.”

The 2026 Republic Bank CPL is scheduled to run from August 7 to September 20, following the completion of the player drafts earlier this month.

Applications for the internship are currently being accepted online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKocCqQuVEmQKuVytEtcX8lU7gjzKMS9bPIk8Cuw3VGLSpPw/viewform