By Fiona Isaacson
In 1899, The Examiner reported how the “enthusiasm” of then-Peterborough Cricket Club members “will doubtless have a great advantage to the grand old game this season.” One of those enthusiastic members was Richard B. Rogers who designed the Peterborough Lift Lock. Fast-forward more than 100 years and there’s a new enthusiasm amongst a small group of cricket players hoping to revive the sport and find a permanent playing field in the city. Pradeep Naik’s eyes sparkle when he talks about his love for the game. As the president of the three-year-old Peterborough Cricket Association demonstrated the game in his backyard Sunday, it’s clear he takes it seriously. According to Trent University archives, cricket in Peterborough dates back to at least 1855. Cricket was the first organized sport in Peterborough and games were played at Nicholls Oval, Naik said.
But somewhere around the 1960s it stopped being a popular sport in the city.
The association is aiming to create interest in the sport by focusing on schools. Last year a demonstration was held at Keith Wightman Public School and the group plans to visit more schools.
“Only kids can take this game forward,” Naik said.
Today most of the association’s 25 members are originally from India, Pakistan and England. Most of them are professionals such as Naik who is a pharmacist.
Both Naik and vice-president Raj Subramanian grew up playing cricket in India.
The passion for cricket in India is similar to the passion shown in Canada for hockey, they said.
The association plays games in Morrow Park, which is the ideal location for a permanent cricket field, says Ken Doherty the city’s community services director.
A Morrow Park master plan is currently on hold, but Doherty said the city plans to resume discussions about a more permanent pitch in the park in the fall.
“There is a growing East Asian community in the city and a growing number of people coming to the city for whom cricket is an important sport,” he said.
“Certainly we need to provide recreational facilities for all groups in our community. By the same token we have an ongoing responsibility to a broad range of special interest groups and recreational groups and their needs. So it’s a constant balancing act.”
A cricket field is a 137-metre oval grassy ground with a rectangular, 20-by-three-metre pitch in the middle, typically made of clay, brick and soil.
A practice area, paid for by both the city and association, has been constructed behind Keith Wightman. The grounds aren’t big enough for games.
Subramanian said a cricket field could fit well in a multi-stadium arena with other activities, such as track and field, happening at the same time.
This year the association joined the Toronto Cricket Alliance to get more exposure.
After nine games, “Peterborough is not doing badly,” Naik said with a smile
NOTES: People or schools interested in cricket, or former Peterborough Cricket Club members, can contact Pradeep Naik at 745-3932 or Raj Subramanian at 745-131 or visit www.peterboroughcricketassociation.yolasite.com….
The city has given the association a $1,000 grant each year for the past three years.
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