AMERICAN CRICKET FEDERATION ACF CRICKETER ACF News Dear ACF Members These are important times in US cricket as we try to get past the impediments of the past and get USA to be an ascending star in world cricket. It goes without saying that ultimately it is the duty and obligation of all US stakeholders to restore normalcy and order in our own backyard. A global body like the ICC can help and we are pleased that they are helping but ultimately we need to clean up our own mess and work hard to keep it clean. We at ACF have never shied away from this responsibility. We have a progressive constitution that prescribes a governance model with the requisite checks and balances which we believe is essential to the well-being of US cricket. We have a large set of dedicated and selfless volunteers who make the likes of ACCL and NACC happen each and every year. We hold elections on time and by the book. We offer coaching clinics to help those who can then help develop tomorrow's cricketers. We have sponsors who believe in our vision of US cricket and contribute generously to our cause. We have an honorary advisory board of legends who gladly help us whenever we need it. We continue to add members who believe in our vision and who will help lead us to a better tomorrow. In closing, here is a quote from Abraham Lincoln that is quite apt for ACF -- "Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition." American Cricket Federation 3rd Quarter 2015
Jatin Patel Member, Advisory & Judiciary Committee (AJ & C) & Director of Coaching Jatin Patel - American Cricket Federation (ACF)'s inaugural Volunteer Award Recipient migrated to the United States in 1987 from Gujarat, India, Multisport Player/Coach/Official and Administrator with a passion for cricket as his primary sport besides Soccer (Football). Since the inception of the United States Youth Cricket Association (USYCA) in 2010, he has been actively involved in training teachers and young scholars. The State of Indiana leads the nation in a scholastic program aimed at Physical Education (PE) teachers trained, and multiple universities offering cricket coaching courses for future PE Teachers. Jatin is a pioneer in school and college cricket education (Introduction to Cricket & Basics of Cricket) and a leader in the field of Cricket Coaching (ACF Accreditation/Certifications for Level 1, Level 2 and Cricket Instructors). He has been at the forefront of cricket coaching education in America, with many vital initiatives like Statewide Study Guides and Training for PE teachers, as well as preparing undergraduate students with PE Majors, as future cricket coaches. An accomplished cricket coach, Jatin Patel is a Cricket Australia Level 2 and ICC Certified cricket coach with the rare distinction of Multi-sport (Soccer & Volleyball) School - College credentials. He is also an NFHS - Certified Interscholastic Coach (CIC) for High school sports, he holds a High School Coaches Diploma from NSCAA & USSF, and is a National licensed D soccer coach. He has coached High school soccer and youth club level soccer teams. He has completed several other High School level coaching programs, as well as certifications in CPR and First Aid with NCSS and NATA sports and safety courses for high school and college sports in the USA. Besides coaching, he is State level certified High School official in soccer and volleyball. Coach Patel has a very simple coaching philosophy, Create an environment where players can become the best they can be and enjoy playing the game. Experience is the best teacher, so, let them play and learn the game, while they practice which makes them perfect. With his vision to educate Americans and to train more cricket coaches at the school and youth levels, he no doubt will realize his dream based on the concept, teachers will teach cricket to many students for many more years to follow. He hopes to later step up his vision to train university level instructors and coaches, so they can train undergraduate students majoring in Physical Education, so they can take cricket with them wherever they go as teachers. 2
Ernie Precious - ACF Zonal Director for the East Zone Ernie Precious is an ACF Zonal Director for the East Zone which includes his home State of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Born and educated in the north of England, he has traveled quite a bit around the world and speaks fluent French and German, in addition to English, of course. He now boasts of speaking American English, or as the English dramatist George Bernard Shaw once said, England and America are two countries separated by a common language. Ernie has lived and worked in Switzerland and France and has traveled throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Russia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa, having worked for British, American and German companies. His sole regret is not traveling through the West Indies. It s not too late Ernie! The Virgo-born graduate of the Swiss Business College, Basel, credits his former off-spinner high school coach Johnny Lawrence with teaching him how to play spin, but could never get him to bowl a leg-break. Upon being transferred to Philadelphia in 1980, Ernie soon after helped to restart the British Officers Cricket Club (BOCC) alongside fellow ACF Director and Treasurer Mike Thomas. In addition to serving as an ACF Regional Director, Ernie Precious is currently the president of the BOCC, Secretary of the Greater Philadelphia Cricket League, and a member of the Philadelphia International Cricket Festival, a star-studded, well-organized and well recognized annual cricket event in Philadelphia. An avid cyclist and grandfather to three boys, Ernie Precious has ridden the MS 175 mile fundraising biking event in support of multiple sclerosis on sixteen consecutive occasions. The two-day ride starts in Cherry Hill, NJ and goes along the Jersey Shore and back. His other hobby is golfing. Ernie says he expects to live a long life, because his mother is alive and living in England and turns 100 not out next March. The witty Yorkshire man brings a wealth of administrative and business savvy to the ACF, in addition to a can-do attitude that s so important to the volunteer work ethic of those serving on the ACF Board of Directors. ACF Announces Limited Elections in December, 2015 ACF announces annual elections to elect board members as vacated by term limit automatic retirements. The ACF Constitution embodies the latest in governance best practices including term limits, staggered terms, and representation of all stakeholders players, clubs and leagues, as well as a complementary Advisory and Judiciary Committee (AJ&C). This effectively mandates regular, annual elections for posts as incumbents are thus automatically retired. The staggered nature of these retirements ensures the maintenance of a broad continuity within the Board as a whole. Please visit http://www.americancricketfederation.org/american-cricket/acfannounces-limited-elections-in-december-2015/ for more information including deadlines and nomination forms. 3
ACCL News South West Region OCCA completed another successful summer season OCCA summer season final was held on September 5th 2015 at Glen Yermo Elementary School field. Having competed through the preliminary round and semifinals, Spartans CC and Frontiers presented a nail biting match in front of a reasonable crowd of friend, families and supporters. Spartans crowned as the 2015 OCCA summer league champions. Frontiers 136 / 25 overs, Spartans achieved the target with 3 balls to spare. 4
Youth Cricket Missouri Youth Cricket Association (MYCA) Missouri Youth Cricket Association 3Q 2015 Accomplishments. Missouri Youth Cricket Association (MYCA) hosted the 2015 National Youth Cricket Championship for Under-10 and Under-14 Levels, from July 2-5, 2015 in St. Louis, MO. Despite various challenges put forward by weather, resulting in flooding of two of the scheduled grounds, MYCA succeeded in giving all the visiting youth teams a very positive and fun cricket playing experience. MYCA's Women's Cricket program is growing and the first Local Women's Cricket Tournament was successfully completed in August. MYCA Men's 20/20 - spring 2015 concluded on August 5, 2015, with Jaguars as Champions and Sixers as the Runner-up. In 3rd Quarter 2015, MYCA also started three new youth programs in partnership with Cities of Florissant, Ferguson, and Hazelwood. MYCA also conducted four community outreach events: City of Bridgeton, Ferguson Sunday Fun day, Hazelwood Harvest fest and Festival of Nations. Ranjeet Singh Secretary, Missouri Youth Cricket Association 5
Godinez Fundamental Becomes First Orange County High School to Start Cricket Received from Southern California Youth Cricket Academy: Southern California Cricket Academy (SCYCA) and the Orange County Cricket Association (OCCA) conducted a cricket demonstration clinic at Godinez High School in Santa Ana, Orange County on September 3. The high school is located next to Centennial Regional Park, the primary cricket ground of OCCA. The OCCA is excited have Godinez High School on board. The demonstration took place in the school s gymnasium, and in front of 250 students. Most of the students were sampling one of the most popular sports in the world for the first time. After a brief overview of cricket in the USA and internationally, several video clips were shown while explaining the basics of cricket. After a question and answer session, volunteer students were called onto the floor to play cricket. All of the players and spectators alike, enjoyed the session. Many Physical Education teaches were involved during the demonstration and were very enthusiastic to learn about cricket, this new sport being played across the USA. Special thanks to Mrs. Sara Henderson for coordinating the event, and all PE teaches for their support and SCYCA coaching staff for their commitment. For more information visit Southern California Youth Cricket Academy. 6