Cricket is one of the fastest growing sports in the New York area, and in an effort to keep up with the demand to equip youngsters with the techniques of the game, the Queens United Cricket Academy (QUCA) is living its motto, “Inspiring Tomorrow’s Cricketers Today.” The academy will start its winter 2016/2017 program during the first week of December at the indoor Facility located at 7 Terminal Road, West Hempstead, NY.
Over this summer, the Academy conducted coaching programs geared to improving the technical ability of the young cricketers. After a very successful summer program, QUCA academy will continue with their fall program in Queens and Long Island. Students between the ages of 5 and 16 years old are encouraged to register for the program. Players are grouped based on age, ability, and experience, and are assessed on the first day of their coaching to make sure that they are assigned the appropriate level. The QUCA coaching program is designed to build on natural talent and unearth future stars. All staff are certified Level -2 coaches and go through the academy’s in-house training program. QUCA has enlisted the assistance of some experienced former cricketers, and the response from the youngsters and their parents have been very encouraging.
Achievements:
Under the guidance of experienced and certified coaches, the academy has been able to mold their kids to compete at the national level. This summer, the National eight region youth Under-14 Tournament was held in Bolingbrook, Illinois, and the entire NY Region team was selected from the members of the QUCA.
The team was also represented at the American Youth Premier League and a 12-team national club tournament in New Jersey. The QUCA team had a chance to compete with some of the best teams and won some of their matches too!
With Academy President Tony Hinds, and under the watchful eyes of Academy Director George Samuel, the players have been gaining confidence and passion for the game. Along with George, certified and dedicated coaches Lalit Bhatia, Cyril Choy, Adam Sanford, Payne Rodriquez, Pradeep Daniel, and Physio Chris Finley, all continue to serve the students and coach them using some of the latest and most effective drills and tips for improving their game.
More recently, the academy had the great honor to host some members of a Marylebone Cricket Club Touring side, West Indies legends, including Gordon Greenidge, Alvin Kallicharran, Gus Logie, Pedro Collins, Carlisle Best, Mervyn Dillon, Larry Gomes and Adam Sanford, among others. The legends took some time to coach the academy players.
It was a great experience for the boys. Apart from coaching at the academy, Director George Samuel was also involved in coaching with an ICC New York Cricket Combine and the New York Cricket Region’s Under-13 & Under-14 teams, and the USA Global Cricket Academy team in the Caribbean during their tour last winter.
QUCA Academy has a very vibrant youth program in the New York area, and parents who would like their child(ren) to be involved in the program, are encouraged to contact Academy Director George Samuel @ 917-805-5290 or visit www.quca.org