Muncie Community Schools invites kids ages 5 and up and adults to play cricket from 6:30-8 p.m. on Mondays, starting April 15, at Northside Middle School, 2400 W. Bethel Ave.
The Family Cricket Club offers three options: an adult club for ages 14 and older, a teen club for ages 12 and older, and a kids club for ages 5-11. Childcare is provided for kids 0-4, and the Ball State University Counseling Practicum Clinic will offer programming for immigrant and refugee women and school-aged children during the games.
The MCS Department of English Learners, which sponsors the weekly event, will provide cricket gear for those who do not have their own. Kelsey Pavelka, director of English learners at MCS, said the club aims to bring immigrant and refugee families together with their Muncie neighbors for “music, sports and fun.”
“The game of cricket is the most popular sport in many countries, including India, Australia and Jamaica. As the Muncie community expands to welcome refugees and immigrant families, we are gifted an incredible opportunity to experience a slice of the world without traveling,” Pavelka said. “My hope is for the Cricket Club to be a space of cultural exchange and community empowerment, so families know that no matter what languages they
speak, there is a place for them in our Muncie Community Schools.”
Volunteers needed
The district is looking for volunteersfor the following roles during Family Cricket Club nights:
- Play cricket (no experience necessary).
- Umpire (with a basic knowledge of standard cricket rules).
- Female volunteers for the Women’s Walk-and-Talk and Teen Club for immigrant and refugee women and teens during the games.
- Childcare workers for kids, ages 0-4.
Muncie Central High School senior, Rezwan, is ready to share one of his favorite sports with the Muncie community. All are welcome to participate in these weekly events for all ages.
What is Cricket?
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on a field at the center of which is a 22-yard pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two balls balanced on three stumps. Two players from the batting team (the striker and non-striker) stand in front of either wicket, with one player from the fielding (the bowler) bowling the ball toward the striker's wicket from the opposite end of the pitch.
The striker's goal is to hit the bowled ball before switching places with the non-striker. The batting team scores one run for each exchange. Runs are
also scored when the ball reaches or crosses the boundary of the field or when the ball is bowled illegally.
Learn more about how to play cricket and fill out the volunteer form if interested in participating.
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