The Victoria International Six-a-Side (VISAS) Cricket Festival begins on Friday, August 3rd, with an opening ceremony and social gathering for participating players and officials at Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, British Columbia. This year’s is the 14th VISAS Cricket Festival, as well as being the 150th anniversary of the city of Victoria. Participating teams in 2012 come from Australia, New Zealand, England, Italy, Mexico and the USA, in addition to a number of local teams.

Round-robin matches are scheduled on August 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th and 10th with the playoffs set for August 11th. Matches are being played at Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, and Windsor Park, Oak Hill, between 9.30 am and 6 pm.

Over the years, as noted on the Victoria and District Cricket Association website (www.vdca.ca), teams have come from Australia, New Zealand, England, Italy, Singapore, Hong Kong, the West Indies, the Isle of Man, Bangladesh and the Bahamas as well as various cities in the USA and Canada. USA participation has involved teams from New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston and Dallas. Teams from Vancouver, Toronto and Edmonton have also competed.

Admission is free and spectators are welcome.
Eddie Norfolk