The official facebook page of the Nova Scotia Cricket Association has carried an invitation since the start of December 2014 for youngsters in the Halifax (NS) area to sign up for introductory indoor kids cricket programs that began last Wednesday (Jan 7) and continue for a further nine weeks, including today (Jan 14). There are separate sessions for ages 6-9, which take place between 5pm and 6pm. and for ages 9-13, which take place between 6pm and 7pm at Halifax’s Canada Games Centre.

The program is being run as a joint venture between the Nova Scotia Cricket Association and the Canada Games Centre. A major goal is to provide those unfamiliar with cricket the chance to begin to get a feel for the sport in an atmosphere of FUN and maximum participation.

At the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce Sports Forum in Brampton, Ontario, on December 5, 2014, Canada’s Minister of State with responsibility for Sports, Mr. Bal Gosal, talked about the existence of some fine indoor sports facilities around Canada that exist in various provinces and territories where the Canada Games has taken place over the years. Mr. Gosal spoke with fondness, passion and knowledge about his involvement in organizing opportunities for kids to play soccer in the Brampton area before his entry into Parliament in 2011.

Some of the parents had questioned why the kids were doing fitness exercises rather than just kicking a ball around. But there is a need to be fit in order to play soccer. Something that also applies in cricket, so while attention is given in the Cricket KIDS program to catching, throwing (as a fielder, not as a bowler), hitting and bowling some fitness and agility improvements should be gained by participating in the Nova Scotia program.

Mr. Gosal spoke privately (admittedly, in a public park) with interest with several members of the Ontario Cricket Academy and Club when attending the second day of the August 2014 Mississauga Cricket Festival. It was good to see he was interested in hearing what young Canadian cricketers thought was needed to help cricket progress in this country. Building healthier and better communities is, surely, part of what is needed fo form a better Ontario, Nova Scotia, Canada and world.

Possibly there may be a chance to join the program a week, or possibly two weeks, late. Contact information can be found on the Nova Scotia Cricket Association facebook page. The cost of the current program in Halifax is $60 for members of the Canada Games Cantre, or $69 for non-members.

Ingleton Liburd spoke of how about 60,000 had participated in the Cricket Canada KIDS program during the last six or so years at last December’s Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce Sports Forum. A major effort was made last summer to bring an introductory cricket course to many kids within the Toronto Catholic Schools system by volunteer coaches under the Cricket Canada banner.

Mukesh Narula also mentioned during the Forum that some parents had wondered why he had their kids doing some fitness exercises back in India. More recently, he arranged for a series of talks and sessions about mental preparation and mental toughness for the Canadian squad taking part in Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division Two. But Mukesh also spoke at the Forum about the need to ensure that when kids are due to take examinations then priority needs to be given to school work. Cricket can then resume after exams and key assignments have been completed.

So, perhaps there is a chance for some to sign up late for the current program in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and if it turns out to be a bit too late for this time, then keep your eyes on the facebook page for the next Canada KIDS cricket program in that province. (EN)