Introduction
Young people at Wellington Street YMCA have been working on a joint venture with Community Praxis and Ipswich Community Media, all in the name of cricket! The sport is much loved by the young people, who have been united through months of dedication to weekly practices at the YMCA and out in the community, forming the Blue Tigers Cricket Team.
Team Formation and Collaboration
The team has worked together both at the YMCA and in the wider community. This collaboration is thanks to the local links and cricket connections brought in by Community Praxis and Ipswich Community Media. The Blue Tigers Cricket Team has developed not just their fielding, batting, and communication skills, but also a real sense of teamwork and belonging. Together, they created their own leadership rules and expectations around sportsmanship.
Community Development Programs | Community PRAXIS
Support and Sponsorship
With the generous support of COES, who sponsored their new cricket kit, the team has become a cohesive unit ready to take on friendly competition across Suffolk. Enriching the project with a creative element, Ipswich Community Media has followed the young people along their journey, co-creating a film that captures and showcases their passion for cricket, their enthusiasm for the project, and their growth and progress towards match days.
Team Captain’s Reflection
Reflecting on the journey so far, the team captain said, “We started the team because we enjoy playing cricket, like we did in our villages growing up. The team is like family. We respect and support each other. Everyone gets a chance to bat, bowl, and train. Cricket gives us confidence, teaches us to work together, and is fun. Choosing players [for matches] is hard because everyone is good, so we vote to decide who will play. We stay motivated through belief, confidence, and respect. We want to win big tournaments and play against strong teams.”
Early Successes
The Blue Tigers Cricket Team has already made their mark on the field, securing victories in their first two matches against Ipswich School and Ipswich Tigers. These early wins are a promising sign of the team’s talent and potential.
Community Involvement
Throughout the project, the young people have worked with local teams, schools, and clubs. These collaborations have given the players the opportunity to demonstrate and advance their skills and talent. As a result, some young people have already been invited to join established teams, which is a fantastic reflection of the hard work put in so far.
Conclusion
The project continues to offer a space for young people to grow and develop through sport and community involvement. Thank you to all who have contributed to making this a valuable and rewarding experience for the young people, supporting them to thrive through sport.
Keep up to date on our other good news:
