West London Caribbean Cricket Club Vision

Aim

My vision is to launch a Caribbean cricket & Fitness club in West London

 I am a multi-sports coach and Personal Trainer who has been working with children in the Ealing and Hammersmith & Fulham boroughs for 10-years.

My Vision

Whilst cycling through Perivale Park, I observed a predominantly Indian members cricket team playing a league match. I was encouraged by what I saw because it was charming to see a sports event where all family members (male, female, young, and old) were involved. As someone who has coached in a variety of communities, it dawned I have seen a consistent pattern where when the whole family is involved in a sports activity, (be it playing, catering, transporting, spectating, officiating, etc) there is a sense of belonging that keeps their young adults grounded, striving for high attainment, and out of crime. In Leeds where I grew up, I was a member of a Caribbean Cricket Club which did just that. I have joined many sports clubs since moving to London 20-years ago; however, in the absence of a community that celebrates my culture I never felt a sense of belonging.

Thankfully, I did not move to London at a vulnerable age. If I was young, single, unemployed, or lonely, the probability of my life taking a negative turn to merely feel accepted would have been high.

Alternatives

I have been granted opportunities to work in Caribbean youth clubs or to get involved in projects that address knife crime, but from experience, aspiring children tend to avoid youth clubs as they are often breeding grounds for gang culture. Granted, football is currently the most popular sport amongst Caribbean youths in London; however, football is a fast-pace sport that lasts a maximum of 90-minutes. Unless at an elite level, spectators seldom attend games, and participants will go home to shower once a game is over. The purpose of this proposal is to provide a home-from-home facility for all age-groups.

A Cricket club is the solution as it transcends all generations. Mum, Dad, Uncle, Aunts, and Grandparents will happily come along to support to support the team just like they used to support the national team with drums, horns, singing and Caribbean food. Cricket is also played during the summer season when young adults are not occupied in education or playing football – time when they become idle.  

History

The West Indies National team which represents Caribbean cricket has a rich history of cricket legends, such as Gary Sobers, Michael Holding, Viv Richards, Chris Gale, and Brian Lara – a legacy that should be celebrated and upheld in our community; however, interest and participation has fallen substantially amongst Millennials and Gen-z because of 4-commonly quoted reason:

• The revoking of cricket broadcasts on terrestrial TV
• The slow pace and length of the game in comparison to short, fast pace alternatives.
• The poor performance level of the national team.
• The layout cost for equipment to play and storage for it – gamble if a child does not want to progress in the sport.

However, with the introduction of the new short-form versions (T20 and One Hundred) full games can now be played in an afternoon after school, college, or weekend mornings. This poses an exciting opportunity to recapture the interest and appreciation or this beautiful art of a sport that our community once had.

This project closed unsuccessfully on 5th October 2021