USJC
40 Belvedere Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (415) 459-7311
Fax: (415) 459-4038
Email Us
Last update
Monday April 26, 2004
03:50 AM
Original design and programming
by Suzanne Miller.
updated and modified
by Edward Fox
Visit MarinMarket.com
for all your Marin County Information and Shopping needs!
 Junior Cricketer
A Federal 501(c)3 Corporation EIN# 31-1669726 First California North versus South Cricket competition at Under 13. At 5:30 am on Saturday 19th of October a convoy of cars and vans set out from Larkspur, carrying a group of excited youngsters to play two matches against their counterparts in Southern California. The games took place at Woodley Park on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, before a small but enthusiastic group of family and spectators and representatives of the northern and southern programs. Although the northern group somewhat dominated the competition, the outing was a valuable experience for all who attended and a big hit with the young players of both regions. After a fine lunch provided by Karl Stephen, the northern players set off for the long drive back. Thanks to coaches Everton Matambanadzo, Mike Sobieski and Nirosh DeSilva who accompanied the northern squad and to Mark Azeez, Rodney Cutting and Shirl Williams who coached the southern group. US Junior Cricket would like to congratulate Tony Verity and David Sentence for organizing this first event and for setting this precedent for California intrastate competition at a true home-grown junior level. A group of northern supporters stayed on to represent the northern program at the Southern California Junior Cricket Golf fundraiser at the prestigious Braemar Country Club the following day. For pictures of the weekend's cricket and Monday's golf tournament, check the following links: Cricket
karlesq's Album: New Album 11/01/02 Golf
karlesq's Album: New Album 11/01/02
INTER SCHOOL CRICKET BEGINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA USJC affiliate, Southern California Junior Cricket Program has begun
what could be the nation's first modern day inter-schools cricket competition.
Dr. Tony Verity, doyen of Southern California junior program, writes from
Los Angeles:
Funding has always been pivotal to our small successes and while grant funding from the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles covers basic needs, the annual golf tournament has provided 'booster funds' in past years. Notable recent highlights have been the selection of representatives to the first International Tournament held in California against a Canadian Xl in 2000, the visit of a US junior cricket team to Barbados in March of this year.
More locally, our first inter-schools competition in which Ivanhoe, St.
Mark's and Alessandro participated. We have had continued support from
the six participating schools, especially the parents and faculty. Our
limitations are purely financial, but it is hoped that more coaches will
be recruited if monies become available. We strongly support the idea
of USJC, in that youngsters participating in the program will develop
'life skills', sportsmanship and a respect for authority and fellow players."
US Junior Cricket Under 13: Tour Report March / April 2002
Game two was played against North Star at their picturesque ground at the very north of the island. After heavy rain the night before the game commenced late allowing time for the ground to firm up. The USA won the toss and again decided to bat. After a slow start against some very spirited bowling the USA team accumulated runs without the loss of wickets. After an opening stand of 35 where Brian Adodhi again featured the USA lost some quick wickets to be in a difficult situation. A thirty-seven run partnership between Ryan Olsen and Dhruv Motiani moved the total to a respectable 105 for the loss of 4 wickets. In response the USA were able to capture 3 quick wickets with Ryan Olsen taking two and Keenan Fish the other. North Star through some outstanding batting passed the USA total without any further loss of wickets. Game three was against the reigning Barbados champions Combo Morpe. USA managed a clean sweep of the toss and this time elected to bowl on a very good flat wicket at YMPC. None of the USA bowlers were able to stem the flow of the aggressive batsmen but through outstanding fielding and concentration on bowling straight Combo were held to 7 for 242. As this was the last game on tour all player who had not had a chance bowl were given the opportunity to bowl on Barbados soil. In reply against some very quick bowling the USA openers of Ajodhi and Nalik withstood the torrent. A solid partnership between Vinood Persaud and Ryan Olsen was the highlight of the innings. USA was finished 9 for 91. All in all though, this was a highly successful cricket tour where the young players from the USA learnt valuable cricket lessons from teams who live and breath the sport. It is as true in cricket as in any other walk of life, young people are more inclined to learn from observing their peers than from any amount of adult instruction! There is no doubt that several of the young people they played against have futures in cricket that will reach to the very highest level. For this reason alone, it was an invaluable lesson for our cricketers, but the friendships made and the cultural experience of playing cricket in the heart of the Caribbean will truly remain a treasured memory for a lifetime! A copy of the team picture, taken in front of the Sir Gary Sobers stand at the Kensington Oval, will surely also be a treasured memento for fourteen proud young people! Special thanks is due to Peter Olsen, who at the last minute stepped into the team managers shoes and to Victor Harmon who's lively style of coaching was much appreciated by youngsters and parents alike. 'Team Mum' duties were handled by Kerry Olsen, with firmness and kindness born of many such assignments! The trip would not have been half as successful without a lively band of parents/supporters who cheered their team on with gusto, but without completely overdoing the partisanship! The trip concluded with a very lively game of beach cricket in which the whole party participated, much to the amusement of the players! Even in this lighthearted bit of fun though, one could see little bits if the cricket jigsaw puzzle falling into place for the young Americans! For sure there is a long way to go, but we have started. The acorns are planted and beginning to sprout! Check out the Barbados
Photo Album online!
Kanga Kits, two bats, two sets of stumps and six balls, are also available in medium and small sizes. Cost $125, which includes shipping and handling.
New Jersey Hosts National Under 13's
September 1st and 2nd, 2001, Old Bridge, New Jersey. Labor Day weekend, saw the best and the brightest young talent from the nation's junior programs, displaying their skills at Old Bridge, New Jersey. Hosted by USA Cricket Academy junior program, and the Township of Old Bridge, youngsters from around the country took part in two days of matches and training at the grounds of the Old Bridge CC. The format of the games was North and East, versus South and West, but the purpose was to give all the young players a fair chance to impress the selectors. Selection was taking place for an American Xl to take part in the upcoming International Cricket Tournament at Disney's Wide World of Sport. Consequently, attention was less on the team result, and more on the players' individual performance, with umpires and coaches ensuring that all players found it an enjoyable learning experience.
The N & E side was coached by Roland Sampath, of the Trinidad &
Tobago Cricket Board, an ardent supporter of Connecticut junior cricket
and regular coach in the Hartford program. The S & W group was equally
skillfully handled by Nirosh DeSilva, a US National player, who coaches
in the California program. Overseeing . the event cricketing activities
was Malcolm Nash, National Coaching Coordinator for US Junior Cricket.
After two days intensive cricket, the selection committee announced a
squad of 16 to forward to Disneyland. The announcement was made at a grand
finale dinner where the attendees were treated to plenty of great food
and speeches. SCENES
FROM THE NEW JERSEY TRIALS
|
The
USJC Under 13 Cricket tour of Barbados has been a high point in the emergence
of many young cricketers as the development of junior cricket starts to
take hold in the USA. Many gutsy and character filled performances were
recorded on this tour against outstanding local teams representing the
different parishes throughout the country. All tour matches were one-day
fixtures with the first two games being 30 overs per side and the last
game being 35 overs per side. All games of course were played on grass
wickets which was a brand new experience for nearly all the players. 
The
first California 'Cricket Van' took to the road in December of 2000,
since when it is to be seen regularly turning heads on the highways
of California as Malcolm Nash makes his weekly commute between Los
Angeles and the Bay Area.
The
following reports are available from US Junior Cricket on request: A donation
of $10 to cover production and mailing is requested. 
One
for the Record Book! 
