Had fun commentating and umpiring the Laneway Cricket local Derby headed up by Dirk Nannes for the Renegades and James Pattinson for the Stars. Julie Hunter was also present for the VicSpirit. Great work Stephanie Newton from Cricket Victoria pulling it together and Ray Kuffer for umpiring.
-Marcus
Had fun catching up with the Police and Fire-ies at Victoria University in Footscray yesterday with cricket the vehicle to promote safety and harmony with international students. Full Report here. Commissioner Overland had obviously worked on his batting since our last hit out on Australia/Indian Republic Day!
Having had some pretty difficult issues to face over the last two years with regards to violence and problems in the international student ‘industry’ it was good to see some goodwill and see that some progress has been made. This has been symbolised in the final match of the season for Urban Seed’s Credo ‘Indian Tiger’s’ Indoor Cricket Team which has been playing in the Footscray area over the last two seasons as a way of supporting students and even won a grand final. Vegetarian Pizza seemed like a nice way to finish before the outdoor cricket season commences proper. We are hopeful that more newly arrived students will be able to connect with local cricket clubs as a result.
– Custard
Urban Seed’s Credo Cricket and Cricket Victoria partnered to do what they do best on Australia Day hosting a fun match between Victoria Police and Indian students who are friends of Urban Seed through our local connections with the Barkly Street Uniting Church Cricket Club and Footscray Baptist Church.
Having run a well publicised street cricket match with Police and Indian students in the city last year; in Footscray on Indian Independence Day (August 15) and at the Diwali Festival in September, the Jai Ho Festival at Myer Music Bowl (celebrating January 26 as both Australia and Indian Republic Day) proved the next perfect location to celebrate the connections that cricket can create.
Urban Seed’s Marcus Curnow said,
“Reports of street violence against Indians in Melbourne on Australia Day and reports coming from India that Australians may not be able play cricket in Mumbai are saddening and the responses of extremists. The Australia Day/ Inidan Republic Day match between Victoria Police and students is a statement that cricket should not be used to bowl hand grenades but can build partnerships that bring our nations together. No matter your background you are always welcome to play cricket in Melbourne and this is made a reality with Urban Seed running matches each week in Footscray and on city streets and through initiatives from Cricket Victoria and Harmony Australia, such as ticket giveaways and developing pathways to cricket umpiring as employment for Indian students.”
Given the profile he has had on the issue, particularly in India recently, it was fantastic to have the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, Simon Overland participating in the match. The Spirit of the day was captured well in his partnership with Ravi Bhatia the CEO of Primus Telecom. Their running between the wickets was highly entertaining and went some way to demonstrating that the cultural differences between the countries could be overcome with good spirit, improved communication…and a bit of luck!
See various reports at Indian Local.com.au , Cricket Victoria, The West Australian and Urban Seed.
Later in the evening some Urban Seed Credo Cricketers had opportunity to keep talking cricket when they joined with locals in West Footscray at the busy Indian hub of Barkly Street Village for an Australian’s listening to Indian’s ‘Listening Post’ event organised by members of the Footscray Church of Christ.
Next Local ‘Listening Posts’
Tues 2nd Feb 8pm-10pm [meet outside Public Library on Barkly St West Footscray]
Sat 6th Feb 10am – 12pm [meet outside Subway store at end of Footscray tram line/opposite Footscray station]
Bring: some small folding chairs, Thermos and mugs, plus Indian/Australian colours and banners
Details: Greg Gow 0434 982 070 or Cara Munro 0420 418 16
Yewsie and Custard prepare for the match...feelin the Harmony!
Phil Yew, Merv Hughes & David Boon run the Diwali Cricket Match.
The Diwali Festival which is the Hindu/Indian Festival of Lights was held at the iconic Whitten Oval in Footscray this week. Urban Seed’s Credo Cricket got involved through local MP Marsha Thompson who was promoting the concept at the recent Harmony in Cricket Forum which discussed the current issue of social inclusion for Indian students.
At the event Victoria’s Acting Premier Rob Hulls said that “Victorians want to work very closely with the Indian community to make sure that … members of our multicultural community are welcomed,”.
“We are an open community; we’re a welcoming community; we’re a peaceful community; and we certainly encourage people from all over the world to come here to Victoria.”
“Diwali is one of India’s most significant festivals – it celebrates goodness and victory over evil and spiritual darkness,” he said.
“At Diwali celebrations over a billion hands across the world will light a billion candles and its certainly a light we’re proud to shine here in Victoria.”
Partnering with Cricket Victoria the cricket match starred David Boon and Merv Hughes (the David Boon being the Credo Cricket variety!) Boony umpired and Phil ‘Yewbeaut ‘ Yew commentated. This was a great opportunity to showcase cricket in the community in Footscray. Congrats to Boony who did an awesome job and had big Merv smiling by the end of it all. The highlight was the Bollywood dancers during the innings break.
Local Newspaper report and photos here.
Once again, we are thrilled at what Credo Cricket has been able to inspire. In light of recent attacks on Indian students highlighted in the media, the Premier, Indian students, Victorian police as well as Bushrangers Damien Wright, John Hastings and Will Sheridan played in a six-a-side match recently at Birrarung Marr.
Urban Seed’s Executive Officer and Credo Cricket legend Marcus Curnow did the commentary for the game. “It was great to see so such a big turnout. Credo Cricket invites Indian students to a free hit of cricket each week out in the western suburbs which creates an important base for relationship and support in the midst of the real issues,” he said.
Read more here. http://www.urbanseed.org/News/Smashingculturalboundariesthroughcricket.aspx
Cricket Victoria report: http://www.cricketvictoria.com.au/plugins/newsfeed.cgi?rm=content&plugin_data_id=27195;group_name=mainsite
Laneway Cricket inspires match between Victoria Police and Indian Students
Report from Urban Seed
Report from The Age
