Kids during the first-ever intramural cricket program at Hillsmere Elementary School in Annapolis, Maryland.

Kids during the first-ever intramural cricket program at Hillsmere Elementary School in Annapolis, Maryland.

This past fall, the Bowie Boys and Girls Club (BBGC) conducted the first-ever intramural cricket program within an American elementary school at Hillsmere ES in Annapolis, Maryland.

Twenty students from 3rd – 5th grades participated in the program. First, there were practice sessions to teach the basics of the game. Then the players were divided into three teams, including a girls’ team. The teams played against each other in a mini-tournament.

At the conclusion of the program, the players received trophies to commemorate this historic event. The MVP from each team received a second trophy.

The children and their parents thoroughly enjoyed the program and are now fans of the game. When leaving the school after the awards ceremony, Team 3 MVP, Indira Powers, was overheard saying to her teammate, “This was the first time I stood out at anything.” That statement warmed the hearts of all three coaches, who had volunteered their time to make this happen.

So, what’s next?

The Hillsmere Cricket Team will be participating in the BEST Cricket League Spring Tournament against other school cricket teams from Anne Arundel and Prince George’s County.

Players can also tryout for the BBGC 11U Travel Cricket Team, which was the 2015 and 2016 Maryland State Champions.