While the sport of cricket is normally associated with seniors, a new West Shore club is breaking down that stereotype and teaching kids itB次元官网网址檚 a sport for all ages.
The South Island Youth Cricket League has clubs in Metchosin, Oak Bay, Peninsula, Victoria and Cowichan and focuses on introducing youth between the ages of six and 14 to the sport.
B次元官网网址淧arents like it because itB次元官网网址檚 pretty casual, the kids are active, having fun and learning something new, and itB次元官网网址檚 easy on the pocketbook,B次元官网网址� said Rick Gardner, general manager of the South Island Youth Cricket League. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an alternative for kids who donB次元官网网址檛 necessarily want to play baseball, lacrosse or any of the other traditional North American sports.B次元官网网址�
Cricket is a bat and ball game played between two teams of 11 players each on a cricket field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 20-metre pitch with a target at each end called a wicket. One team bats, attempting to score as many runs as possible, whilst their opponents bowl and field, attempting to minimize the number of runs scored.
RELATED: Metchosin cricket assembles Jr. team
Gardner originally started the Metchosin Youth Cricket Club in 2014, after noticing a dearth of activities for kids to do outdoors on the West Shore. At the time, Gardner was driving to Beacon Hill Park in Victoria twice a week so his kids could play.
During the clubB次元官网网址檚 first year, where they practiced at the green space behind the Metchosin Fire Hall on Happy Valley Road, there were roughly 15 youth involved. But since then the club has seen a boom in the number of youth wanting to get involved.
This year there will also be clubs in Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay, Peninsula and Cowichan B次元官网网址� all of which are under the umbrella of the South Island league.
B次元官网网址淜ids are really excited to learn something new. They can relate it to sports theyB次元官网网址檝e played before,B次元官网网址� said Gardner, noting youth use softer cricket balls during play. B次元官网网址淔oot speed is good when youB次元官网网址檙e running between the wickets or yourB次元官网网址檙e chasing down a ball. Good throwing arm from baseball, good hand-eye co-ordination for catching if they played football before. All these things from other sports, cricket brings out the best of those skills that they already have.B次元官网网址�
RELATED: Junior cricket getting underway in Metchosin
Isaac and Coen Salvador-Brown have been playing cricket with the Metchosin club for the past four years, after a friendB次元官网网址檚 dad introduced them to the sport. They practice twice a week with games on Saturday.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice you get to play outside because a lot of the sports are inside,B次元官网网址� said 14-year-old Isaac, who plays bowler, short-stop and outfielder.
Aside from being competitive on the field, the duo also compete with each other.
B次元官网网址淲e see who can get the most outs, more catches, farther hits,B次元官网网址� said 12-year-old Coen, who plays bowler, wicket keeper and occasionally block. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really fun and unique.B次元官网网址�
Registration for the South Island Youth Cricket League is $45 and a pair of siblings is $80. All equipment is provided. For more information or to register email siycl.home@gmail.com.
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