Semi-final voting in the chase to obtain financial support from the Avivia Community Fund closes at noon Eastern time today (Wednesday 12 December). So those wishing to support the Valley Park Middle School’s “Let there be light” project’s bid for funding had only a few more hours to cast a final vote when this note was compiled. Can the project obtain full funding needed to install sports lighting over the cricket and sportsfields for the Don Valley community around Thorncliffe and Flemingdon Park, Toronto? Or even a consolation prize of $5,000.

The top ten in each of the three project categories (Large, medium and small) advance to the finals. The voting aspect counts for 15% of the overall assessment in the rankings to be determined by the judges. So it is part of the equation where the community at large can provide input and support. Votes can be cast through links on the Valley Park Middle School Facebook page or the Valley Park GoGreenCricketfield website.
The judges will also assess each project’s potential in terms of : impact (25%); likelihood of success (15%); longevity and sustainability (30%); originality (5%) and submission quality (10%).
It is, surely, appropriate that “impact” and “longevity and sustainability” carry the weight in the assessment process. Will whatever is developed make it’s mark and will it continue to be maintained so it can continue to benefit the community where the project is planned for development?
The underlying base for most of the grass wickets in the Greater Toronto Area came as a result of work needed to allow hosting of the 2001 International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy. A competition in which Canada beat Scotland in the last game of the tournament to secure the third qualifying spot in the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup. The Netherlands and Namibia having taken first and second places in that 2001 ICC Trophy.
The playing side of cricket has ticked along since that breakthrough back into Cricket World Cup circles. But the maintenance of grass wickets fell by the wayside, an issue related to lack of maintenance funding provisions and availability, but there have been some re-births of the grass wickets. But much bigger funding is needed across the country for both wickets and to improve outfields.
But it should be possible for cricket to more than tick along, largely unnoticed in Canada. Something that requires a bit more than some sports lighting around one facility. It needs some top marks in the “submission quality” category that could lead to more projects that could bring a short-term impact that could be properly transformed into longevity and sustainability.
So spare a minute or two to cast a vote in support of the Valley Park Middle School “Let there be light” project. And may the light penetrate the minds of some of the others involved in the Canadian cricket scene if there is a 2013 Aviva Community Fund project, or some other funding scheme that is holding out money that could go into some properly held out and thought out cricketing begging bowl in some part of Canada!
Meanwhile, best wishes to the Valley Park project, and thanks to Aviva Insurance for providing this Aviva Community Fund. (Eddie Norfolk)