I watched a very interesting programme questioning why non white children don't join cricket clubs. Well I can tell you, the trauma I have gone through, I can see one reason why they might not!.....

[foxinsocks]

You know, sometimes I despair of this country. We looked at some local cricket clubs for our ds to go and play at.

First of all, there was no marketing of any clubs. I understand that marketing costs but even a leaflet in the children's book bags or someone coming into school to ask for players doesn't cost that much.

Secondly, because we didn't know anyone (that is, dh doesn't play cricket and dh works weekends so it was always me trooping up with ds) we were regarded as an outsider from the start.

We tried to sign him up to holiday clubs but were told straight out that he was too young, having been told initially that he could play. Then I looked up the cricket club adverts and it turned out he was old enough to play. Someone in his class (slightly younger than him) was asked to come along to the holiday club because the father plays in the senior side.

Of course, the senior sides have no non white people in them either!

So it seems, if you have an 'in' at the club, it's ok.

What with the lack of available info and the mission once you're even in, I'm really not surprised that most children who love cricket aren't playing. And without playing it in state school (which most don't, certainly at junior level), I can't see it ever improving!

Luckily, I've found a club that seems to cater for anyone but my goodness, it took some looking. And I just find it sad that a lot of these clubs seem so up their own backsides that they can't welcome children in to play with open arms!

[SetSquare]

ah yes the dad plays thing is very common. Even for my dsses who are very good.
WE have found that the best are either tiny village ones or the MAIN one in your town who have funding to organise youth stuff. You do need fto find the right person though and I know that is somehting hard.
whats the deal with non white - are you none= white then?

IMO the thing they say when we lose the ashes that boys don play any more is CRAP, kids are WILD about it

[foxinsocks]

should have said, I love it cricket. It's my favourite sport I think. So I have a passion for it, as does ds!

[SetSquare]

Yes trying to break into a group is hard. DO you know anyone with older boys who play?

[foxinsocks]

no, just there are a lot of non white people in this area (Middlesex) and I was watching one of those programmes on Sky about how there needs to be a concerted effort to get non white children into cricket clubs because effectively, at the moment, they are really few and far between!

I mean you can see it with your own eyes.

I just find it frustrating.

[foxinsocks]

yes but that hasn't helped.

I think if I made a huge effort it would but I'm working full time and it's so hard to try and do it all

I have found a club which looks more friendly but I'm going to have to travel to get to it but I think it'll be worth it as ds very keen grr

[FAQtothefuture]

thb I think it's just as hard for white kids - DS1 isn't at all interested in Cricket but one his classmates is, his mum is a good friend of mine and despite her DH's sporting background she found it really hard to find somewhere for her DS to play.

[foxinsocks]

oh I can believe that FAQ and I think it's what I'm trying to say.

just ridiculous isn't it

I think I might write to the ECB actually.

[pagwatch]

I think they are often just rub along affairs and the thing that happens is incompetence rather than anything more sinister.

My Dh has recently joined one and now DS1 plays there too. This was after the last experience where the guy running DS1s team was just endlessly rude and mean to DS1 - getting him to turn up for matches and not bowling him at all nor batting him when DS1 was their best bowler. DS1 was only 13 but confronted the guy on the phone about why he kept leaving him out and he just swore at him and hung up on him. really great example

The new club try and be organised by still forget to tell DS1 when he is playing or send DH to the wrong club

They all need a decent womens team to get them into some order.

They are mostly run on a shoestring though by people trying to run practice and teams whilst also trying to raise funds.

( BTW DS1 met former capt recently and took his middle stump first ball - was only annoyed with himself for not giving him some chin music first )

[SetSquare]

well run ones DO exist although I cant speak abotu city type areas. Its like loads of things oyu hear of someone who goes etc.

I adore cricket too, I saw a boy at the drs the other day doing that " walking bowl" thing they do with their arms as they walk. Love it!

[FAQtothefuture]

just realised my post wasn't very clear.

DS1 is coloured mixed race

DS1's friend is white.

And what is a real shame is that walking past DS1's junior school near the end of term they were actually learning cricket (ok plastic bats and stumps, on a small "field" that is the playground - but still......) during PE.......just doesn't seem to be easy for them to do outside of school if their interest is sparked

[SetSquare]

and it costs a ££ and requires a lot of driving.
No suprise here that the majority over OVER 11 cricketers are very middle class. Same wiht tennis. We had a bill off £150 one term, for three kids, luckily ds1 has taken up kayaking...

[SetSquare]

sorry over £350

[foxinsocks]

yy exactly square

the cricket and tennis places I have looked at are overwhelmingly middle class

would put off anyone but the most determined I tell you!

thing is, these aren't small clubs by any means. Just ruined by the way they are run imho!

that's the thing isn't FAQ. If you go past parks at the moment, everyone is playing cricket. Just nowhere formal for them to do so. It's such a shame. Just a huge missed opportunity.

[SetSquare]

yes I think. And was thinking about this as i stir my risotto, my ds is an amzinglt taslented bat and ball merchant( sory but is true) so much so that passers by stop to look. Has been since he was 2. Is county at two bat and bally sports ( is 8).

In any other country they would have him in some kind of scheme and all ready to make him a pro, now i dont want that adn tbh I dont think its the ENglish way BUT its why we LOSE things all the time.

[foxinsocks]

yes I agree

it's not like you even need some very formalised thing

but even if someone from the county took a certain number of boys forward and did some special training, even once a year, and then kept an eye on them from then onwards...would make a big difference

of course, in football, is completely formalised. One of ds's friends was already scouted by Premiership clubs at the age of 8!

It makes me sad because bat and ball sports are loved by almost every boy! We must be missing so much talent but also missing an opportunity for boys to play sport with other children, the exercise potential, keeping them out of trouble etc. etc.

[StrangeTown]

It's not like this everywhere, honest. In our very northern working class county, cricket is massive and almost every team in our league is mixed racially.

We have a fab youth team run by volunteers who are all trained coaches. Cricket is really popular with Asian children and girls in our area and they are represented a most levels in the local clubs.

[foxinsocks]

ah that's good to hear StrangeTown.

It sounds like you live in a very sorted place!

I know quite a few people darn sarf who've had similar experiences to us which is a shame really

[goldrock]

I think it must be luck of the draw, I have no interest in cricket but its very big in the village where we live and we knew there were junior teams and so turned up on spec about 3 seasons ago and were made to feel very welcome. 3 of my DCs now play and its actually pretty well organised. Looking at the teams we play against this seems to be the norm around here.
DCs village school is 100% white but at cricket there are quite a few non whites and there certainly isn't any discrimination.
Funnily enough the only other non white children my DCs know are ones they play tennis with.
fox - its a pity you don't live about 100 miles further north.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Not like that here in Merton - hugely popular and a massive youth training initiative, and very racially mixed.

[Katisha]

It's fine here in S Beds as well. Although every match seems to be an away and at least 50 miles drive...

[shithappens]

"getting him to turn up for matches and not bowling him at all nor batting him"

Same here. The game where DS was required to travel 45 mins there and 45 mins back to not bat, not bowl nor even stand in an interesting fielding position was his last.

[hazeyjane]

My dh was groundsman at Ealing cc a few years ago, they have a huge junior section, which was/is very well run, and has a wide ethnic mix, if you are not too far away maybe you should give them a try.

More recently he was groundsman at Slough cc, which had a superb junior section and the club was predominantly non white.

So it isn't the whole of the South that has the problems you describe!

[SetSquare]

ooh thats interesting for you Foxy

[ZZZenAgain]

wonder why it is like that, very strange.

[thirtysomething]

we have an Indian cricket club near us - has always troubled me in a way as I don't like segregation of any sort.....but DS's club is very diverse and welcoming so I don't think colour is an issue there.....but you do need to have pushy parents (of any colour!) to get selected for the team - cricket seems to have the pushiest parents on the planet; could write a novel about it!!