March 29, 2011

USYCA has received a generous donation of $212.50 from the West Haven (CT) Cricket Club. This gift is directed toward the securing of the internet domains usyca.org, usyca.com and usyca.net for a period of five years. These domains all point to the main usyca.org domain.

WHCC was formed by a group of cricket enthusiasts from the sub-continent in 2001. During its early years, the members played friendly games, until finally getting a full pitch at the start of the 2005 season with the help of the local parks department. In the past few years WHCC has worked hard to improve every aspect of its game, be it professionalism or the standard at which it plays cricket. This has paid rich dividends as the club has grown each year, and has secured numerous titles (three time SCTCA T20 champions [2007, 2009 & 2010] and 2009 SCTCA 40 overs champion). WHCC is now represented by two teams in the Southern Connecticut Cricket Association.

Rakesh Kallem, the president of WHCC, sees youth cricket as central to the mission of his club.

"WHCC is celebrating it's 10th anniversary this year and it couldn't have been a better time to give sometime back to the game of cricket," Kallem said. "WHCC has always believed in promoting cricket among youth, which is the ultimate decider for the fate of the game in the US.

"The moment I heard about this idea from Jamie, I immediately signed on to help make this dream come true. We adults are probably going to play for another few years, but for the game to grow in this country, it is very important that each individual club support youth cricket. For example, last season WHCC hosted the USACA U-19 Eastern Conference Tournament, which was a proud moment for the club and the members who helped make this event a great success.

"Supporting youth cricket can also be in the form of conducting youth camps or it can be as simple as donating to organizations such as the United Sates Youth Cricket Association, which has already taken youth cricket to a whole new level, a level of which we had never before dreamed.

"To further our commitment to youth cricket, WHCC is starting a campaign called "One Club - One School," in order to encourage more clubs to actively participate in promoting youth cricket. If each club can provide just one cricket set to one school, and promote cricket as a PE program in that school, this campaign will be a huge success. We look forward to the day when children in the streets and backyards are playing cricket, and local stores are carrying cricket sets."

"USYCA is honored and appreciative to have received West Haven Cricket Club's gift," USYCA President Jamie Harrison said. "The gesture only emphasizes the great work that is already being done by WHCC, and points to even greater things in the future. We're eager to partner with this exemplary group of individuals to grow cricket in southern Connecticut."