A grassroots, student-led effort to bring cricket to Spencer Middle School in Langford has seen the first public school team form on Vancouver Island.
“Having a pathway for our cricketers here … That is the end we’re working towards,” said James Roy, a teacher at Spencer Middle School and organizer of the cricket team.
They started with seven players in 2023 and a non-existent budget. It has grown to 15 players with a budget of $1,350 and practices twice weekly.
The team was started after two students had come to Roy to start a cricket club after the pair had bonded over the sport, said Jen Nixon, principal of Spencer Middle School.
“It takes individuals to make things happen. And it takes individuals working together collectively,” said Nixon.
Because its growing in the school, the students play against each other or sometimes even against the staff.
“We are trying to have more matches organized between the clubs,” said Roy.
According to Roy, the team at Spencer Middle School will be open to all students in the Sooke school district and has already recruited one student from Ruth King Elementary to play.
On top of the initiative started by the middle school, there is also the South Island Youth Cricket League, which is run by Rich Gardner and has clubs in Metchosin, Oak Bay, Peninsula, Victoria, and Cowichan.
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Gardner started the South Island Youth Cricket League in 2013 as nothing was available at the time.
There are now teams all over the place, said Gardner, as the league now has around 200 athletes.
Gardner said no fundraising is required, and the initial fees are $45 for kanga cricket and $90 for hardball.
“So if you want to join a team and play in a league, we offer that.”
According to Roy, there are rumours that another team will join Spencer Middle School.
“I was talking to the athletic director from Bayside Middle School last night. I told him about our club, and now he wants to start one,” said Roy.
Once students leave Spencer Middle School, they will be able to play for a variety of cricket clubs in Greater Victoria.
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