Having a high South Asian population, it was unbelievable to know that Brampton did not have a cricket league a year ago. Talking with President Faraz Saleem and Youth Coordinator Sanjay Joshi, Generation Next found out about the efforts of the residents to form a local league to facilitate the local cricket clubs.

“People had a lot of interest in cricket but there was no Brampton Cricket League. The Etobicoke Cricket League was using the Brampton grounds but it was very difficult for parents to drive their children that far. So, we started the Brampton Cricket League and we spoke to Ontario Cricket Association, the governing body that officially looks after official cricket that happens in Ontario.”

Although Ontario Cricket Association briefed them about the rules and regulations to start the league, but it was challenging to negotiate with the city to secure the grounds for cricket practices.

“They had an agreement with Etobicoke league and they were using the grounds. We negotiated that Brampton never had an official Cricket league, so why don’t you give us a chance? Still Etobicoke has the major portion of grounds but they give us certain number of dates to work around and set our schedule to use a few grounds,” says Faraz Saleem.

They have access to 5 grounds. 2 in Brampton, 1 in Mississauga and 1 in Oakville, that they negotiated with each city’s individual government. With this success, local teams can now use the grounds within their city and avoid a long commute.

Currently six teams are playing under Brampton Cricket league and they hope to triple this number by next year.

BCL is growing rapidly with 145 registered players between the ages of 19-50. Although there is a one time $1400 league fee for the year, the players are well aware of the expenses that include $90 umpire fees, $25 for each new ball, $15-$30/hr ground rental, and they realize that these expenditures have to be accounted for to keep the sport alive.

With no sponsors yet, Sanjay mentions, “City generally support us with infrastructure. If we say that we need a good pitch, they ask us to contribute 25% and cover the rest 75% cost. City does the maintenance of the ground as well. City charges us for the grounds, we charge the teams and the teams charge the players.”

Being a not for profit league, BCL is the very first league to hold fundraisers for charities such as Sick Kids’ Hospital. Walmart, Home Depot and M&M Meat Shop have allowed them to use their facilities for fundraising.

 BCL is also targeting youth between 10-18 through their youth program. They have approached different schools through Peel District School board to let the community know about their existence. They offered a summer camp from June to August to encourage children to play cricket and leave their video games and consoles at home.

Sanjay says, “We provide training, equipment and coaching for the kids. They pay $150 one time fee for the entire summer. This gives them a chance to participate in inter-league tournaments. The best players represent BCL and play at Ontario level. Then they go to regional games and can make their way up to the national team.”

Sanjay adds that the excitement of cricket has globally gone up ever since Twenty20 was introduced. People can take out 3.5 hours for the game now. This has attracted people from various ethnic backgrounds to participate in cricket. Faraz says, “We have people from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia and England who show genuine interest. People didn’t have a platform before to play cricket but now they have found us.”

In their initial stages, BCL has yet to start a women’s chapter. They refer their female players to Ontario Cricket association that has a strong program for women’s cricket. Faraz mentions the due to lack of resources, “We are in no position to start and spearhead a women’s team, and so we are routing them there. Their president Rita Sethi looks after that and women have actually won the North American Cup.”

Author: Rahul mehta