While the sport of cricket is normally associated with seniors, a new West Shore club is breaking down that stereotype and teaching kids it’s 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.
“Parents like it because it’s pretty casual, the kids are active, having fun and learning something new, and it’s easy on the pocketbook,” said Rick Gardner, general manager of the South Island Youth Cricket League. “It’s an alternative for kids who don’t necessarily want to play baseball, lacrosse or any of the other traditional North American sports.”
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.
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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 club’s 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 – all of which are under the umbrella of the South Island league.
“Kids are really excited to learn something new. They can relate it to sports they’ve played before,” said Gardner, noting youth use softer cricket balls during play. “Foot speed is good when you’re running between the wickets or your’re 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.”
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Isaac and Coen Salvador-Brown have been playing cricket with the Metchosin club for the past four years, after a friend’s dad introduced them to the sport. They practice twice a week with games on Saturday.
“It’s nice you get to play outside because a lot of the sports are inside,” 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.
“We see who can get the most outs, more catches, farther hits,” said 12-year-old Coen, who plays bowler, wicket keeper and occasionally block. “It’s really fun and unique.”
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.