New Calgary cricket program sees dozens of children hit the field
A new Calgary cricket league is allowing children to take a swing at the sport — and it's already seen its popularity skyrocket.
The Future Stars Cricket League held its first open tryouts for kids aged 8 to 17 last month, and organizers weren't sure what to expect for a turnout. There are now 180 kids on 13 teams across the city.
"It's for everyone. If you're hearing about the sport for the first time, or if you've been playing for the past three or four years, it's for everyone," said Rommel Shahzad, one of the coaches with the program.
"We don't have any restrictions. Anyone can come and join," he said.
The league is completely free, including equipment and jerseys, though the group offers a paid cricket academy for players who want to spend more time honing their skills.
Shahzad is on Canada's national cricket team, and all of the coaches with Future Stars are playing at the international or national level.
Dania Imam has two young sons who joined the league this fall after practicing the sport at home.
The Future Stars Cricket League is bringing the sport to Calgary youth (CTV News Calgary/Jordan Kanygin).
"Because we watch cricket at home quite a bit, they've always been interested and they have been thrilled to come to these camps and play in the league," she said.
The academy and league come at a good time, Shahzad says, with the sports popularity soaring in the last decade in Canada.
"Honestly, I can just say this is a very good learning sport. It's a growing sport in Canada, so definitely come and check it out," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.