I am really excited about the growth of cricket in Prince Rupert and our region.
Canadians generally haven't had much exposure to the world's second most popular sport, but did you know it was Canada's first official sport?
Cricket in Canada dates back to the 18th century with reports of the first matches being played by British soldiers in Montreal in 1785.
At Rideau Hall, the Governor-General's official residence in Ottawa, there is a cricket ground and clubhouse that has been in continuous use since 1865. In 1867, when the country was founded, Sir John A. MacDonald, our first prime minister, declared it our national sport.
It was very popular in the late 19th century, but was largely overtaken by hockey and other sports in the 20th century.
Nevertheless, it has survived and the Canada-United States rivalry is the longest-standing international fixture in cricket having been played, albeit sporadically, since 1844, 33 years before Great Britain and Australia first squared off.
Our national team has participated in the 1979, 2003 and 2007 Cricket World Cups, although few people know it.
Now, though, it is one of the fastest growing sports in Canada with more than 40,000 cricketers across the country, — largely due to immigration from South Asia where cricket is king.
I can't remember now what originally got me interested in cricket, but I got intrigued by it at some point in the late 2000s or early 2010s. I did a bunch of research and decided I wanted to watch it.
Coincidentally, at that time, Sportsnet was offering a package that included Sky Sports, which was broadcasting the Indian Premier League.
I was hooked. I watched every single game that year and it quickly became my favourite sport.
When I moved to Yorkton, Saskatchewan in 2012, cricket was about where it is right now in Prince Rupert. There were people playing regularly amongst themselves and occasionally travelling to play against teams from Saskatoon or Regina, but it was in its growing phase.
I volunteered to help out and they even let me play. I was a pretty good baseball player in my youth and a lot of the skills are very transferrable. When we joined the Saskatchewan Cricket Association I was the team's wicket keeper (think catcher). We were the third city after Regina and Saskatoon to play in the league.
Ultimately I became the president of the Yorkton Cricket Association. I'm not taking credit, but during those three years, the league grew from around seven teams to more than 20.
I have missed the game since I left Saskatchewan, so I am thrilled the Prince Rupert club is working to grow it here.
I highly encourage everyone to get to know this great sport.
