If you have not yet heard the crack of willow on leather in communities around Nova Scotia, it may not be long before you do. Over the next four years, the Nova Scotia Cricket Association is set to receive a substantial funding boost towards its efforts to develop the sport amongst young Nova Scotians. This opportunity comes thanks to a nationwide development grant opportunity provided by Cricket Canada, under the auspices of the Americas division of the International Cricket Council (ICC Americas). Over the cycle of the grant, the NSCA stands to gain more than $50,000.00 through the Cricket Canada Kids Project Assistance Fund. This money will be put toward the development of young cricketers and establishing a broader base of support for cricket.
“We’re pretty stoked by the news our application was successful” says Matt Lane, President of the NSCA. “This grant is a massive opportunity for us and it really allows us to get more development personnel out schools and communities and share our passion for the game. We want to grow the sport from the grassroots and that starts by getting kids and their parents interested and fully engaged. Given the right exposure and environment to learn skills and enjoy the sport over a period of time, whether in school workshops and physical education classes, or in programs outside of school, cricket is a sport that’s easy to fall in love with”.
The Cricket Canada Kids Project Assistance Fund will provide the NSCA with funding over the course of a four year cycle. The funds will be used to implement a strategy aimed at getting more school kids playing the sport and providing pathways for the introduction and sustainability of junior cricket programs, teams and competitions in the future. The NSCA’s application was selected as the leading candidate from entries received from Cricket associations across the country.
Simon Bonnington, President of the newly formed Annapolis County Cricket Club, also foresees the benefit of the Cricket Canada Kids Project in the Annapolis Valley region of the province “I’m delighted that these funds are being made available to foster physical recreation for the youth of the province. It provides us with the opportunity rekindle Canadian interest in one of the world’s most popular team sports at a grassroots level, and at the same time to further promote healthy sporting activities for our children and young people, with all the attendant benefits that brings.”
Once their planning is complete, the NSCA will be hiring a development co-ordinator who will oversee the development programming. If you or your family are interested in becoming involved with the sport of cricket, please contact info@novascotiacricket.com.
Established in 1965, the Nova Scotia Cricket Association is the governing body of Cricket in Nova Scotia and an affiliate of Cricket Canada and Sport Nova Scotia. The NSCA is responsible for the promotion and development of the sport of cricket in the province, oversees recreational and competitive cricket in Halifax, and at senior men’s inter-provincial level (High Performance).
The NSCA currently operates the men’s amateur Halifax Cricket League between May and October, and a recreational Indoor Cricket League during the winter in Halifax.
NSCA media release