USA Global Cricket Academy To Tour Down Under
By Balbir Singh
After three major international tours since to India, Guyana & Sri Lanka, the United States of America Global Cricket Academy (USAGCA) is preparing for another international Pacific tour to Australia and New Zealand, from December 16, 2016 to January 4, 2017.
The Academy established since 1999, is a US registered [501(c) (3)] non-profit organization, and has earned the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) recognition as the 2003 Best Junior Development Initiative. The USAGCA first toured Barbados in 2000. With United States Cricket Association (USACA) recognition the USAGCA resumed its youth cricket International Tour program in 2014-15 to India and Guyana.
USAGCA congratulates all youth players Selected/invited by ICC Americas for U-17 Match Play Event and group of 30 Under U-17 players that will work towards seeing the USA qualify for the 2018 U-19 World Cup via the ICC Americas Regional Qualifying event in 2017.
USAGCA takes pride in acknowledging that 14 of the 30 players selected/invited and six of the 14 players invited to the Match Play event, have toured with the USAGCA teams in the past.
USAGCA International Tour teams that traveled to India, Guyana and Sri Lanka comprised players from various other academies and youth programs across the USA. Over all, some of the most talented players have participated from all regions of the USA, with players selected from 18 states in the past.
The USAGCA tours includes many elite players who have played, or are capable of playing at the national and international level events, for the USA. During Dec 2014 and Jan 2015, USAGCA had 32 players, 12 coaches/officials and many parents with the Under 17 and Under-19 teams on tour of India, during the Christmas break. It was an 18-day tour, with most of the matches played in Gujarat. The Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) provided grounds and infrastructure logistics, and helped the young American cricketers learn new tricks about the game of cricket. The tour was also in collaborated/recognition with and by the Gujarat Government.
During March and April 2015, USAGCA had 42 players with eight coaches/officials for the Under-18, Under-15 and Under-13 teams tour Guyana. As part of its cricket development initiative, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) collaborated with the USAGCA. Teams played matches against Guyana’s U-15 and U-17 teams, County sides, Association teams and club sides. Matches were held in West Demerara, East Coast, Berbice, Georgetown, and at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence on the East Bank.
In 2016, USAGCA had a 50-member tour party, including more than 10 officials and many parents complete a tour to Sri Lanka. It was an 18-day competition-cum-training tour with the combined Under-19 and Under-21 and Combined Under-15 and Under-17 teams, and played more than 20 matches and participated in many high profile coaching sessions at different International venues.
USAGCA joined the Great Cricket Steps initiative of Sri Lanka, with assurances to organize cricket tournaments in Sri Lanka and the USA. The 2015-16 USAGCA’s tour to Sri Lanka was an opportunity to expand cordial relations between the two nations’ cricket authorities and players.
Over the years USA Cricket Academy with the vision of “BUILDING GREAT CRICKET PROFESSIONALS” has a long and distinguished association with the USA junior Cricket teams such as the U13 team to Barbados in 2003. Eight times Under-18 teams toured Trinidad, Four times U19 teams participated in the Sir Garfield Sobers Tournament in Barbados. Tours also included U-15 and U-19 teams to Wales, as well as U-18 team tours to India and Sri Lanka during 2006.
The Management of the Academy released a combined statement ahead of this tour — “This tour will provide the best opportunities for our players to play at the best pitches, and to get International cricket experience, as well as face strong challenges from the most talented local players and teams. The tour will help our elite players gain more confidence and vital experience, as many players have played National, ICC Americas and International cricket. The tour will provide the right platform for all players to become professional and stay on top for future cricket events in the USA, while preparing them for the next U-19 world cup.”
USAGCA founder and President Ashok Patel said: “This tour is primarily focused on learning and gaining some experience, while playing at the best venues and against highly competitive and talented local teams in Australia and New Zealand. Our main goal is to provide more playing and learning opportunities to our talented players to hone their skills. Players will have a golden opportunity and a lifetime memorable tour, as they are visiting New Zealand ahead of the next ICC U-19 World Cup scheduled to be in New Zealand.”
The USAGCA management team comprises:
Ashok Patel (President & Founder),
Rahul Sharma (Global Operations Manager/CEO),
Jatin Patel (Global Development Manager),
David P. Sentence (Director of Communications/PR).
Ball-by-ball commentary and scorecard coverage for the tour will be provided by our official partner www.chauka.in while other official partner www.Sportswire4u.blogspot.com will provide media coverage for the tour.
Interested players, coaches and parents must register online through the academy’s website. More details and an online form will be available soon. You may also contact the academy’s management personnel through the academy’s website.
Compiled by Balbir Singh from Sportwire4u
