East Bay Blazers, a prominent Minor League Cricket (MiLC) franchise based in the Bay Area, has expanded its influence in the US cricket scene with the inauguration of Blazers Cricket Academy (BCA). Discover more at www.blazerscricketacademy.com.
Biju Nair, an NCCA veteran cricketer, cricket enthusiast, and entrepreneur, stands at the forefront of the cricketing revolution in the US. Quietly shaping a cricket ecosystem in the Bay Area, Nair’s contributions extend to investing in the Western Division Champions of 2023, the East Bay Blazers, and promoting the Major League franchise SF Unicorns. Beyond these, Nair nurtures young talent through adult league clubs like Bay Area Cricket Club (BACC) and Santa Clara Cricket Club (SCCC), comprising 10 plus teams in the country’s top league, NCCA (Northern California Cricket Association).
Recognizing potential and gaps in youth cricket, Nair launched Blazers Cricket Academy, focusing on holistic development. More than a training ground, it’s an institution emphasizing mental preparedness, physical conditioning, and strength alongside technical skills. Positioned as a professionally run high-performance academy, BCA operates in collaboration with Santa Clara Cricket Club in Santa Clara, utilizing top-notch facilities.
BCA boasts a picturesque square with 3 turf pitches at the Santa Clara Cricket field, where Minor League games have unfolded over the last 4 years. With 4 natural turf nets and two Astroturf nets, the Santa Clara Training Center provides the best of its kind in the Bay Area for outdoor training facilities. Blazers Cricket Academy (BCA) partners with the prime indoor facility in the Bay Area, US Cricket Store (https://www.uscricketstore.com/), for all their high-performance camps and ongoing practices in addition to the outdoor facilities.
Expanding its reach in the Bay Area, BCA has training centers in multiple Fremont locations, actively engaging with schools and cities to enhance cricket facilities for youth and girls. Recently, the Blazers acquired a women’s team participating in the San Diego Women Open, led by USA U19 and Senior team player Anika Kolan, featured on USACricketers.com.
BCA’s coaching is led by top players in USA Cricket, including Rusty Theron, David White, Angelo Perera, Carmi Le Roux, Shehan Jayasurya, Adithya Ganesh, Abhishek Paradkar, and Harish Kakani, supported by key local senior players from NCCA, including Waqas Haider and Krithik Udayashankar. The academy is set to bring international expertise in coaching and infrastructure development, with upcoming plans yet to be unveiled.
As cricket gains momentum in the hearts of Americans, courtesy of visionaries like Biju Nair, the question arises: Are you prepared for the cricketing revolution in the United States? The youth cricket frenzy is here to stay.
