USACA Launches New Junior Development Initiative

The national governing body for cricket in the USA, the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) is delighted to announce a brand new cricket junior development program entitled “Cricket – Let’s Play USA!” The new initiative Cricket Let’s Play USA (CLPUSA) is a new, introductory children’s program created to underpin cricket activity across the US.

CLPUSA introduces American children to cricket in a fun and engaging environment while addressing fundamental movement skills that are part of elementary school curriculum. CLPUSA hopes to provide US cricket’s strong volunteer network with a program that engages girls and boys, teachers and parents and fosters great passion for cricket, and will begin to establish the next generation of American cricketers.

The program provides a framework to introduce kids aged 6 – 13 to cricket and provides a pathway through to junior teams, academies and leagues throughout the US with the hope of creating more long-term cricketers.

USACA CEO, Mr. Darren Beazley was thrilled with the announcement: “The release of the USACA Strategic Plan 2014 – 2016 last month highlighted the importance that USACA has attached to the development of junior cricket in this country. For cricket to reach its potential, we need more young boys and girls learning the skills over a multi week program that allows them to not only become more accustomed to the skills of cricket, but also to develop the cognitive skills to fully understand the tactics and rules of junior cricket. Cricket Let’s Play USA is a program that has been designed by experienced cricket people to establish sustainable development that addresses the current shortage of young people playing cricket in the USA.

Cricket Let’s Play USA has three (3) different formats that allow it to be played in any setting anywhere in the US. These modules are entitled ‘Intro’, ‘Match’ and the modified game format of ‘10Ten’, this unique program is designed to provide elementary and middle school teachers, together with community based volunteers with the skills and knowledge to be able to present cricket to American kids in a fun way.

The objective is to inspire of boys and girls that enjoy the multi week program of Cricket Let’s Play USA to transition into junior cricket competitions that may be played after school or on weekends and begin what we hope will be a lifelong love affair with cricket”.

Over the coming month USACA will release a suite of junior cricket development resources that will help cricket’s valuable volunteers and stakeholders implement the CLPUSA programs.

USACA will be advertising for regional resources to support volunteers over the coming months. However, in the near term, USACA will be calling on willing volunteer coaches / facilitators to become involved and implement the schools based program in the Regions.

The first year of Cricket Let’s Play USA will focus on a targeted pilot program in New York and Florida, with the goal of expanding this into other regions of the country. However, access to resources and the program is available to all teachers and volunteers nationally.

For more detailed information about the CLPUSA programs please visit the website. 

About USACA: The United States Cricket Association is the national governing body for cricket in the USA and is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 based in Florida. USACA's objective is to promote, encourage, foster and develop interest and participation in the game of cricket throughout the USA.