Cricket’s Role in Community Building
A pep talk by the coach that brings the whole team together; Friday night drinks at the cricket club in which players and their families are all involved; team-building exercises where you all becomes mates, rather than just teammates.
These are just a few ways that sports, and cricket in particular, build stronger local communities, turning strangers into close friends.
Cricket has always been a major part of the Australian social landscape. Bringing together people of diverse backgrounds, roles and interests, cricket is more than a sport: it’s the ultimate community building tool.
Here, we’ll explain why cricket is such a great sport to get into, and what it means for the community:
Bringing together different cultures
Cricket is played all over the world, bringing together people of different cultures and backgrounds. There are currently 108 ICC member countries, present on all 6 inhabited continents.
Local cricket clubs foster a deep sense of multiculturalism. At your local cricket club, you’ll most likely find people of Indian, Sri Lankan and Pakistani cultures, and even South African, Caribbean and Zimbabwean backgrounds too. This creates a melting pot of different cultures, breaking down barriers with the shared love of cricket.
Accepting different skill levels
Cricket clubs usually don’t care if you’re a future superstar or a beginner in the sport – they’re just happy to have you around! This is inclusivity at its peak, welcoming all people with open arms. Local cricket clubs are a great way to get a taste of cricket, and play for the fun of it.
Encouraging women’s sports
43% of primary school girls who play sport drop out of it once they hit high school. This is a sad and alarming statistic which needs to be addressed. However, another great thing about cricket is that it encourages women to get around the sport as well. In the last 20 years, we’ve seen a huge improvement to the women’s game on both a local and professional level. From more local women’s teams to the development of the Women’s Big Bash League, cricket is perfect for men and women alike.
Cricket for people with disabilities
Cricket is a sport for all people, including people living with disabilities. There are a range of opportunities for players with disabilities. The National Cricket Inclusion Championships, where players compete in the blind or vision impaired, deaf and hard of hearing, and cricketers with an intellectual disability divisions.
No matter who you are, where you’re from, or what your ability is, cricket is a sport that welcomes you. Cricket For All keeps up this spirit of inclusivity, fostering young cricket legends of all backgrounds and abilities. Whether it’s to get your game to a professional level, improve your skills for personal goals, or simply to hire a lane and have some fun, Cricket For All is Adelaide’s premier training destination. Contact our friendly team or book online today.
