Teambuilding Fun for Republic

It was a day full of frolic, fun and serious teamwork when Republic Bank staff gathered recently at the Banks Brewery playing field in Wildey.

Teams from across the Bank abandoned the formality of uniforms and business suits and donned T-shirts and sneakers and took to the field in a combination of track and field and fun sports. The intent to test not only speed but coordination and teamwork in a precursor to the Bank’s participation in the Republic Bank Group’s regional sports competition, Family Fiesta staged every other year in Trinidad and Tobago.

“I didn’t realise how competitive staff are, but all in the name of good fun,” said Managing Director Anthony Clerk after completing the 400m. From early morning, seven teams supported by family, friends and other support staff gathered to participate in a coordinated team march pass, male and female 400m, 200m, 100m and 4x100m relays, managers’ races, children’s 50m races and a potpourri of activities testing dexterity, coordination and teamwork.

DJs were on hand to set the pace with popular music and a play area complete with bouncy castles, slides and face painting ensured that children were occupied while their parents proved their mettle at novelty games.

According to Steven Jordan, captain of team Triple Threat, a combination of managers and staff from the Managing Director’s Office, Corporate and Commercial Credit department, Corporate Accounting and Treasury, the event is one that builds camaraderie, fosters teamwork and provides and opportunity to destress. “While the Bank stages several different activities during the year, there isn’t one quite like this where hierarchy doesn’t matter. At the end of the day it is about each person committing to the team he or she is on and giving of their very best,” he added.

The day’s activities culminated with a keenly contested series of tug-o-war pitting managers against subordinates in one round and branches against departments and units in others.

In the end team BroadSquare (Broad Street and Independence Square branches) was in first place, Sol33 (Speightstown, Limegrove and Warrens branches) second and Black Panthers (Loan Delivery and Centralised Credit units) third. Winning teams took home gold and silver coconuts and all team members were awarded medals of participation.