In 2015, cricket in Fort McMurray, Alberta continues under the auspices of the Northern Alberta Cricket Association (NACA). A name change instituted this season from the previously used “Fort McMurray Cricket Club” reflects the league’s ambition to integrate into its province’s cricket structure and compete both within and beyond Alberta. To this end, NACA have sought and obtained provisional membership in the Alberta Cricket Association. Already, NACA’s best have hosted and won the inaugural Champions trophy featuring opponents from Calgary, Saskatchewan and Grande Prairie. In August, Ft McMurray travelled to participate in the Red Deer Cup, meeting the teams from Calgary, Edmonton and host city. Again, Ft McMurray prevailed.

Locally, Syncrude Athletic Park has been the home of cricket since 2007 with an astroturf wicket installed in 2013. The league’s modern history extends back to the late 1990s but it seems cricket was played in Ft McMurray as early and the 1960s. Over 100 cricketers split amongst five teams participate in the NACA 40-over and T20 formats. This year, the ‘Snyepers’ team captured both titles. It is hoped that a place in the China Rose Cup, Alberta’s club championship, will be extended to Ft McMurray’s champions. It would be yet another achievement for this cricket outpost in Alberta’s north.

Many thanks to Z. Akthar for contributing the details of this item.

Fort McMurray’s cricket venue:

‘Snyepers’: 2015 T20 and 40-over NACA champions