CIMA is to welcome the CIMA Toronto mayor’s cricket team to London as it prepares for a one week tour as part of the Cricket across the Pond (CAP) scholarship programme.
CAP is an annual programme organised and managed by CIMA Canada. In partnership with Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation, the British Consulate General in Toronto and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, CAP uses cricket to motivate young people from Toronto’s diverse neighbourhoods. The programme aims to promote values such as discipline, respect, and integrity through an international learning experience.
Chessington cricket club in Surrey will host the team during their tour, which begins on 30 July 2011. They will play against some of the county’s leading clubs and enjoy a tour of the famous Lord’s cricket ground as a guest of Keith Bradshaw, chief executive officer of Marylebone cricket club. The group will also be received by the mayor of Kingston upon Thames, councillor Patrick Codd, who will extend an official welcome to the young cricketers on 1 August.
Harold Baird, president of CIMA, said: ‘In a year in which we are focusing on the value of global partnerships, it is a pleasure to be able to organise such a worthwhile event. The tour is now in its fourth consecutive year, and provides a fantastic opportunity for these young cricketers to showcase their talent and act as role models and ambassadors for their community. It also highlights CIMA’s ability to contribute to local communities.
‘This year, for the first time, the team will also be playing a match against a London StreetChance XI. StreetChance is a partnership programme similar to CAP, and uses cricket to engage young people from a range of backgrounds in areas affected by youth crime and anti social behaviour. We are very excited about linking up with the programme’s partners, including Chance to Shine, Barclays Spaces for Sports, Cricket for Change, Positive Futures and the Metropolitan Police Service.’
Councillor Patrick Codd added: ‘Sport has the tremendous ability to bring people together. Whether it is on the world stage of the London 2012 games or a kick-about in the local park, sport plays an important role in bridging divides. Kingston is pleased to support this initiative to promote cricket and bring young people from Canada and the UK together in celebration of a shared passion.’
The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) sponsors CAP, and leads a group of corporate and media partners that have been brought together by CIMA for this community initiative. 
Shari Austin, RBC’s vice president of corporate citizenship, said: ‘Support for amateur sports and underprivileged youths is vital to community well-being, and as an organisation, RBC places great importance on our involvement in programmes such as these.
‘CAP will help participants develop confidence, discipline and teamwork – skills that will set them up for success in life as well as giving them international experience. We are very pleased to be a partner in this programme.’
See further details about the CAP scholarship programme and its initiatives. You can also discuss CIMA Canada on the CIMA Canada group on CIMAsphere.
Programme:
Saturday 30 July Team will spend the afternoon training at Chessington CC (Sir Francis Barker Ground, Leatherhead Road, KT9 2NB)
Sunday 31 July 10am – match versus Old Wimbledonians CC (143 Coombe Lane, Raynes Park, SW20 0QX
Afternoon – team will be guests at President’s Day at Chessington CC
Monday 1 August 10am – visit to Lord’s
7pm – reception at mayor’s office (Guildhall, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 1EU)
Tuesday 2 August 11am – match versus Purley CC (The Ridge, Purley, CR8 3PF)
5pm – match versus Beddington CC (Beddington Park, Church Road, Wallington, SM6 7NN)
Wednesday 3 August 1pm – match versus StreetChance London (The Cricket Centre, Plough Lane, Wallington, SM6 8JQ)
Thursday 4 August 10am – match versus Sunbury CC (Geoff Kaye Memorial Ground, Kenton Court Meadow, Lower Hampton Road, Sunbury on Thames, TW16 5AS)
Note to editors – Richard Barnes, deputy mayor of London, is attending this match
5.30pm – match versus Old Rutlishians CC (Poplar Road, Merton Park, SW19 3JS)
Friday 5 August Team will watch Chessington CC host Lashings CC in a morning match