Calgary’s first youth cricket league kicks off winter season
Posted Feb 6, 2023 11:49 am.
Calgary’s first youth cricket league kicked off in late January, and nearly 200 players are competing for the top prize.
Founder and director of the Future Stars Cricket League, Hamza Tariq, says the objective of creating a youth cricket league came from the need to promote a healthy lifestyle through participation and team play.
“I think we received a really good response from everyone. Initially, when we started this, we thought the majority of the registrations would come from the northeast because of the population that lives in the area, but I was surprised,” Tariq told CityNews.
There are 13 teams competing in the winter league, and around 180 players, including girls and boys between eight and 17 years old, in the U10, U14, and U17 divisions.
Four teams compete in the three age groups: The Northeast Storm, Northwest Grizzlies, Southeast Warriors and the Southwest Bisons. The Airdrie Heights rounds out the competition in the U17 division.
Players and families are joining forces to build cricket at the grassroots level.
Vyom Kapor, the vice-captain for the Northeast Storm, says it’s a great opportunity to build camaraderie among kids.
“When I was playing with my friends, I’d always go to the baseball field. And even though it’s for baseball, we played cricket there ever since we’ve got to the field,” he said.
“I think it’s a really good sport, and it includes everything. Teamwork building, balance … it’s just an awesome sport.”
Related Stories:
-
Calgary multisport fieldhouse discussions resurface at City Hall
-
Calgary gets new dome for winter outdoor play
This initiative has opened a new space for kids to strengthen skills such as teamwork, socialization, problem-solving and self-motivation.
A parent and coach for the league, Zain Arshad, says it’s important to allow kids an opportunity to try something new.
“To me, it’s about sports, just like when you play soccer, you try out basketball,” Arshad said.
“It’s not a boy’s or a girl’s sport. If you have someone interested, let them try it out and see if they like it.”
The matches will be held at the Higher level Sports Academy in northeast Calgary from February to April.
All kids interested in participating in this sport are welcome to join.
