United States Youth Cricket Association
Encyclopedia
The United States Youth Cricket Association (USYCA) is the largest organization in the United States devoted to the promotion of the game of cricket
among young people and is an Associate Member of United States of America Cricket Association
. USYCA promotes cricket in America by donating cricket sets and instruction to schools, at no cost to the schools, through its Schools Program. USYCA has 48 member organizations: 14 Affiliates, which are organizations that are primarily engaged in youth cricket activities, and 34 Associates, which are organizations that support the USYCA mission, but are primarily engaged in other activities. USYCA is a program partner with the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
After receiving an invitation from Physical Education instructor Charles Silberman, Highland Park Elementary School in Prince George's County, Maryland
became the first school to receive a cricket set from USYCA in May 2010. In June and July, summer camps were the beneficiaries of USYCA donations, as schools were no longer in session. By the end of the summer, however, the Prince George's County school system had extended a welcome to USYCA, as had schools in Baltimore City. In the Fall of 2010, other jurisdictions in Maryland signed on, such as Kent
and Queen Anne's
counties on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
On June 24 it was announced that that the C.C. Morris Cricket Library Association had agreed to fund the organization's infrastructure expenses, such as liability insurance and fees associated with the securing of federal tax-exempt status, up to a maximum of $5000. This was followed on July 13 with the announcement that DreamCricket.com had raised its pledge to 100 sets, ensuring USYCA of a useful supply of high-quality children's sets with which to approach school systems. This allowed the organization to break free of the time-consuming process of placing sets in one school at a time.
Another key development that summer was the introduction to USYCA of Maria Grossi, and DTY Pty Ltd., an Australian firm that was the supplier of cricket sets and apparel to Cricket Australia's MILO In2Cricket program. The referral came by way of Rebecca Mulgrew of CA, who first came into contact with Harrison in 2009 while he was coaching the cricket team at Cardinal Gibbons School in Baltimore
. By August, DTY was in discussions with USYCA that would result in the donation of 500 custom-made cricket sets, designed especially for the USYCA Schools Program. These sets would eventually be named the American Cricket Champ, and was the first set ever produced specifically for the American market.
Also that summer, USYCA produced its constitution
, which was largely based upon the USACA document, and in August the organization elected its first office holders.
Shortly thereafter, Michael Thomas of Maryland
, a member of the British Officers Cricket Club and the C.C. Morris group, was appointed as USYCA's first treasurer
.
During these early months, individuals were volunteering to lead state youth cricket organizations for USYCA, so that by the end of August, USYCA was represented in 16 US states.
In September, the first three USYCA standing committees were established: membership, finance
and cconstitution/by-laws.
In the Fall of 2010, USYCA began placing cricket sets in schools in Maryland
, and international cricket celebrities, such as Australia's Nathan Bracken
and Damien Martyn
, posed for photos wearing USYCA tee shirts. Bracken included his son, Chase (also in a USYCA shirt), in his portrait. Also that fall, a USYCA instructional video was produced by Rohit Kulkarni and City Lights Films, and was added to the USYCA YouTube page. This three-part video, "Introducing Cricket To Children In The United States," was viewed thousands of times in its first year online, and became key in delivering the USYCA formula to those spreading cricket to new demographics.
In November, USYCA was granted Associate Member status by USACA, and made itself eligible for recognition and support from the International Cricket Council
. This eligibility soon paid off handsomely, as the USYCA Schools Program was awarded the top prize in the Junior Participation Initiative category by the ICC America's region in the 2010 Pepsi ICC Development Programme Awards.
This award in January 2011 came only days after Mike Young
, the American
fielding coach for the Australian national cricket team, had come out in public support for USYCA, modeling the organization's apparel at a photo shoot on the banks of the Yarra River
in Melbourne
, only hours before the Aussies were to take on the English in a One Day International match.
In February, American Cricket Champ sets began to arrive at USYCA headquarters in Maryland
, and were quickly redistributed to schools across the country.
On April 14, 2011, USYCA held its first-ever Annual General Meeting
.
In June, USYCA donated cricket sets to sixteen Alabama schools that had suffered severe tornado damage two months prior. In July, USYCA announced that 136 elementary and middle schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system in North Carolina were adding cricket to their PE curriculums, and the schools would also be offering students opportunities to play the game in other venues.
"We would like to support any initiative in Maryland that involves putting basic cricket kits in the hands of Phy Ed teachers. Our max budget is 10 kits - each costing $1000. So let us get this going." (The $1000 figure was a typo; he meant $100.)
, unveiled on May 5, 2010, was designed by Jamie Harrison and produced by his 17 year-old son, Zachary. It reflects the mission of USYCA through its depiction of a young girl bowling
and a young boy batting
; its color scheme of red, white and blue marks it as clearly American.
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
among young people and is an Associate Member of United States of America Cricket Association
United States of America Cricket Association
The United States of America Cricket Association is the official governing body of the sport of cricket in the United States. USACA sponsors the United States cricket team that is recognized by the International Cricket Council, and has been an associate member of that body since 1965.USACA...
. USYCA promotes cricket in America by donating cricket sets and instruction to schools, at no cost to the schools, through its Schools Program. USYCA has 48 member organizations: 14 Affiliates, which are organizations that are primarily engaged in youth cricket activities, and 34 Associates, which are organizations that support the USYCA mission, but are primarily engaged in other activities. USYCA is a program partner with the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
History
USYCA was founded in April 2010 by Jamie Harrison, Edward Fox and Rakesh Kallem. The previous month, DreamCricket.com, a US-based cricket website and online retailer, had agreed to donate ten cricket sets for placement in American schools under a pilot program directed by Harrison.After receiving an invitation from Physical Education instructor Charles Silberman, Highland Park Elementary School in Prince George's County, Maryland
Prince George's County, Maryland
Prince George's County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, immediately north, east, and south of Washington, DC. As of 2010, it has a population of 863,420 and is the wealthiest African-American majority county in the nation....
became the first school to receive a cricket set from USYCA in May 2010. In June and July, summer camps were the beneficiaries of USYCA donations, as schools were no longer in session. By the end of the summer, however, the Prince George's County school system had extended a welcome to USYCA, as had schools in Baltimore City. In the Fall of 2010, other jurisdictions in Maryland signed on, such as Kent
Kent County, Maryland
Kent County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, on its Eastern Shore. It was named for the county of Kent in England. Its county seat is Chestertown. In 2010, the county population was 20,197...
and Queen Anne's
Queen Anne's County, Maryland
Queen Anne's County is a county located on the Eastern Shore of the U.S. state of Maryland.As of 2010, the population was 47,798. Its county seat and most populous municipality is Centreville. The census-designated place of Stevensville is the county's most populous place...
counties on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
On June 24 it was announced that that the C.C. Morris Cricket Library Association had agreed to fund the organization's infrastructure expenses, such as liability insurance and fees associated with the securing of federal tax-exempt status, up to a maximum of $5000. This was followed on July 13 with the announcement that DreamCricket.com had raised its pledge to 100 sets, ensuring USYCA of a useful supply of high-quality children's sets with which to approach school systems. This allowed the organization to break free of the time-consuming process of placing sets in one school at a time.
Another key development that summer was the introduction to USYCA of Maria Grossi, and DTY Pty Ltd., an Australian firm that was the supplier of cricket sets and apparel to Cricket Australia's MILO In2Cricket program. The referral came by way of Rebecca Mulgrew of CA, who first came into contact with Harrison in 2009 while he was coaching the cricket team at Cardinal Gibbons School in Baltimore
Cardinal Gibbons School
The Cardinal Gibbons School, also referred to as Cardinal Gibbons, CG and most commonly as Gibbons, was a Roman Catholic high school and middle school for boys in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A...
. By August, DTY was in discussions with USYCA that would result in the donation of 500 custom-made cricket sets, designed especially for the USYCA Schools Program. These sets would eventually be named the American Cricket Champ, and was the first set ever produced specifically for the American market.
Also that summer, USYCA produced its constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
, which was largely based upon the USACA document, and in August the organization elected its first office holders.
Shortly thereafter, Michael Thomas of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, a member of the British Officers Cricket Club and the C.C. Morris group, was appointed as USYCA's first treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
.
During these early months, individuals were volunteering to lead state youth cricket organizations for USYCA, so that by the end of August, USYCA was represented in 16 US states.
In September, the first three USYCA standing committees were established: membership, finance
Finance
"Finance" is often defined simply as the management of money or “funds” management Modern finance, however, is a family of business activity that includes the origination, marketing, and management of cash and money surrogates through a variety of capital accounts, instruments, and markets created...
and cconstitution/by-laws.
In the Fall of 2010, USYCA began placing cricket sets in schools in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, and international cricket celebrities, such as Australia's Nathan Bracken
Nathan Bracken
Nathan Wade Bracken is a former Australian cricketer. A tall left-arm fast-medium bowler, Bracken is capable of swinging the ball both ways. He has represented Australia in all forms of the game...
and Damien Martyn
Damien Martyn
Damien Richard Martyn is a former Australian cricketer. He played for the national team sporadically in 1992–1994 before becoming a regular ODI player in 1999–2000 and a regular Test player in 2001 until his retirement in late 2006...
, posed for photos wearing USYCA tee shirts. Bracken included his son, Chase (also in a USYCA shirt), in his portrait. Also that fall, a USYCA instructional video was produced by Rohit Kulkarni and City Lights Films, and was added to the USYCA YouTube page. This three-part video, "Introducing Cricket To Children In The United States," was viewed thousands of times in its first year online, and became key in delivering the USYCA formula to those spreading cricket to new demographics.
In November, USYCA was granted Associate Member status by USACA, and made itself eligible for recognition and support from the International Cricket Council
International Cricket Council
The International Cricket Council is the international governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from England, Australia and South Africa, renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989.The...
. This eligibility soon paid off handsomely, as the USYCA Schools Program was awarded the top prize in the Junior Participation Initiative category by the ICC America's region in the 2010 Pepsi ICC Development Programme Awards.
This award in January 2011 came only days after Mike Young
Mike Young (coach)
Mike Young is the current Australian cricket team fielding coach as well as former minor league and Australian baseball manager, player and coach...
, the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
fielding coach for the Australian national cricket team, had come out in public support for USYCA, modeling the organization's apparel at a photo shoot on the banks of the Yarra River
Yarra River
The Yarra River, originally Birrarung, is a river in east-central Victoria, Australia. The lower stretches of the river is where the city of Melbourne was established in 1835 and today Greater Melbourne dominates and influences the landscape of its lower reaches...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, only hours before the Aussies were to take on the English in a One Day International match.
In February, American Cricket Champ sets began to arrive at USYCA headquarters in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, and were quickly redistributed to schools across the country.
On April 14, 2011, USYCA held its first-ever Annual General Meeting
Annual general meeting
An annual general meeting is a meeting that official bodies, and associations involving the public , are often required by law to hold...
.
In June, USYCA donated cricket sets to sixteen Alabama schools that had suffered severe tornado damage two months prior. In July, USYCA announced that 136 elementary and middle schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system in North Carolina were adding cricket to their PE curriculums, and the schools would also be offering students opportunities to play the game in other venues.
National Youth Cricket Day
USYCA established March 24 as National Youth Cricket Day. This day was selected because it was on that day in 2010 that Venu Palaparthi wrote to Harrison on behalf of DreamCricket.com, making the initial offer of donated cricket sets:"We would like to support any initiative in Maryland that involves putting basic cricket kits in the hands of Phy Ed teachers. Our max budget is 10 kits - each costing $1000. So let us get this going." (The $1000 figure was a typo; he meant $100.)
Logo
The USYCA logoLogo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
, unveiled on May 5, 2010, was designed by Jamie Harrison and produced by his 17 year-old son, Zachary. It reflects the mission of USYCA through its depiction of a young girl bowling
Bowling (cricket)
In the sport of cricket, bowling is the action of propelling the ball toward the wicket defended by a batsman. A player skilled at bowling is called a bowler; a bowler who is also a competent batsman is known as an all-rounder...
and a young boy batting
Batting (cricket)
In the sport of cricket, batting is the act or skill of hitting the cricket ball with a cricket bat to score runs or prevent the loss of one's wicket. A player who is currently batting is denoted as a batsman, while the act of hitting the ball is called a shot or stroke...
; its color scheme of red, white and blue marks it as clearly American.
See also
- Cricket in the United StatesCricket in the United StatesCricket in the United States is a sport played at the amateur, club, intercollegiate, and international competition levels. There have also been several recent attempts to form professional cricket leagues in the United States.-History:...
- History of United States cricketHistory of United States cricketThe history of United States cricket begins in the 18th century. Among early Americans, cricket was as popular a bat and ball game as baseball. Though Americans generally never played cricket in great numbers, it did enjoy an initial period of sustained growth...
- Major League CricketMajor League CricketMajor League Cricket, or MLC, is a New York based company dedicated to running a professional cricket competition within the United States, as well as developing and promoting the sport to raise its profile in North America...
- NYPD Cricket LeagueNYPD Cricket LeagueNYPD Cricket League or NYPD Cricket or Cricket NYPD is a private Twenty20 cricket league formed by the New York City Police Department for teenagers from the Caribbean and South Asian communities in New York City. It is a recreational league founded to develop better relations between New York...
- United States national cricket team