One of Cricket New Brunswick’s “Kids Cricket” events had to be called off last week, but the program gained ground in some 250 elementary schools this spring and also visited Middle Schools, thanks to the hard work of the cricketing enthusiasts attempting to develop the sport in the province. A progress report on this development program appeared on the Cricket New Brunswick website in late June 2013:
“Cricket New Brunswick continued visiting elementary schools this year as well. Starting in spring 2013, stops were made at Park Street, Garden Creek, Gibson Neill Memorial, and Royal Road Elementary schools. Around 250 elemtary schools kids were exposed to Cricket. Feedback from PE teachers was very encouraging.”
Royal Road Elementary – “The students were very excited to try something different and are still talking about it.”
Gibson Neill Memorial Elementary – “The kids were asking if they could play it again.”
“Cricket kits were distributed to schools that had not received the kits before.”
“At the middle school level, Krista Steeves, and Jeff Mott organized sessions at Nashwaaksis Middle School. After the session, Krista summed the day as, “To have such interest from so many students and to know that they are interested in more of the Sport is fantastic.” ”
At a post-World Cup 2007 seminar at the University of Toronto, someone from the Toronto area was telling me about his activities in some thirteen schools, which does reflect a certain level of commitment and action, but I had gained an awareness of some of the school cricket activity in Toronto by that time, as well as having looked at the number of schools in the City of Toronto.
In the bigger picture of cricketing life, I was not massively moved but, on a broader level, it might be useful if some of those involved in development activities were to write their own articles, possibly supported by photos, and push them out to local newspapers or the ethnic mix of news and TV/radio openings in the Greater Toronto Area (or in other cities across the country). Canada Cricket Online would, doubtless, be keen on having receiving written submissions about cricket development activities, especially if well written.
Those involved in Cricket Canada’s domestic development program might be interested to receive news of achievements by the various programs that are in place or are being introduced across the country. Perhaps the selectors might then go and explore to see some of the fruits of development programs.
But for now, let’s hope the enthusiasts in New Brunswick develop some ripe cricketing fruits, male and female, to lead future onslaughts by Canadians on the global cricketing stage. Perhaps the Women’s Twilight Cricket in New Brunswick might bring a new dawn as the sun begins to rise over Canadian cricket on the global stage. One win today for Canada’s women (against Japan in Dublin) and two more games to play in the ICC World Cup Qualifier Shield competition: a chance of coming fifth exists with two more wins.
(EN with input from the Cricket New Brunswick website)