Nearly eight years ago, while on a field trip with my history students, I was introduced to a game called cricket. After playing a bit, I soon thought to myself, “This is a blast. Why isn’t this game more popular in America?” And with that, an amazing personal journey began.
Jamie Harrison is the founder of United States Youth Cricket Association.
Now, almost six years after the founding of the United States Youth Cricket Association, I’ve decided that the time is right to relinquish my (admittedly very tight) hold on the organization.
When you start something from just a vision in your mind, it becomes your “baby.” You fuss over it, you nourish it, and you protect it from the cold, cruel world, because, well, it’s your baby. But, there comes a time when you have to let your child grow up and walk without you. For me, that time has come. I also understand that six years at the head of a national organization is plenty, and, frankly, I am ready for a new challenge where American cricket development is concerned.
And so, today I announce that when the third USYCA national elections commence in March, I will not be standing for any of the offices.
I will continue to be involved with local youth cricket development through my ongoing work with the Maryland Youth Cricket Association, which, because of its unprecedented success with schools cricket, will demand quite a lot of my time. But, as far as the national youth cricket scene goes, I will be stepping back from any public role.
I expect that this announcement will cause many local and national youth cricket leaders to consider running for USYCA offices, and I welcome that. I would remind everyone that voting is restricted to Affiliate Member organizations that have paid their dues, so please take care of that if you haven’t done so. (Reference: http://usyca.org/member_organization.cfm)
Best Regards,
Jamie Harrison, President
United States Youth Cricket Association