The Portage Local Immigration Partnership has been awarded a PaticipACTION grant of $4,900 for a community challenge this year.
Cultural Connector Megan Romphf says the challenge usually runs from June 1st to June 30th, and it's for the community to try a new sport, get active, and just get out there and try something new in the community.
"Last year, they did it with pickleball and this year, we applied for it for cricket because it's new, it's up and coming," says Romphf. "We've been gaining some traction over the last few years with the Portage Cricket Club, so we just thought we would apply for it and give it a go. And we got awarded the $4,900 to put it on for the community."
She notes the Cricket Club is quite excited.
"We did the Jumpstart grant in October of 2022, and they came out and we had 58 participants with youth," continues Romphf. "The Portage Cricket Club came out and they did all the coaching for it. So, they're excited to get back out there and do some more now."
She describes cricket as a game that originated in the UK and other countries outside of Canada and it's quite popular.
"There are national competitions and they use two wickets and bats, or I guess what we would consider bats from what you think of baseball," notes Romphf. "I kind of look at it as golf and baseball mixed together. So, you're swinging downwards instead of swinging outwards, you get bowled the ball instead of pitched the ball, and you hit it. You can hit it quite a ways. It is a really fun game."
The Manitoba Cricket Association will come out and do a full expo game against the Portage Cricket Club on the 7th of June.
"We've done this in the past," notes Romphf. "Last year, we had 73 people come out just to watch, never mind play, and it's a lot of fun. We challenge anybody who wants to learn more about it, see it, or hear more about it to come out and just have some fun with us."
Romphf explains the reason that PLIP is involved with the effort is due to the fact that most newcomers to Canada have been involved with it to a great extent. North America is somewhat outside the rest of the world's interest in the sport.
"Cricket is not a Canadian sport," says Romphf. "It is played basically everywhere else but Canada. When you look at the ethnic-culture and the diversity that comes from the players and the teams that you watch on TV, it's mostly the Indian community who has kind of brought it to our attention that they want it here. We had 58 kids come out and it was not just the Indian community, it was people who were coming from the Philippines, people who were coming from the Indigenous community, and people who were coming from the non-Indigenous community. There were so many kids that came to play this and now the parents are asking, 'When are you doing this again? How can we get our kids involved? How do we get involved? How do we learn how to play the sport?'"
She notes the community challenge is a national physical activity initiative that encourages everyone to get active together throughout the month of June.
It all takes on the 30th and 31st of May. Following that, it will be June 7th, 14th, and the 21st. The rain date is the 28th of June. The event takes place every Wednesday and you simply show up. There will be prizes, drinks, snacks, and all equipment is supplied.
Five draws are being made for league fees for youth through the grant for those who participate in the challenge. Contact Romphf at m.romphf@pfrc.com.
Canada's most active community will win $100,000.