On October 28, the second group of Prince George’s County Physical Education teachers received their cricket instruction and equipment. The cricket sets were donated by DreamCricket, USYCA’s Official Equipment Supplier. The in-service event was held at Hyattsville Middle School, and was hosted by PE teacher Lynnea Smith (kneeling, center, in gray shirt). Thanks, Lynnea!
Tag Archives: Maryland Youth Cricket Association
More Prince George’s County Schools Get Set For Cricket
Eldersburg Elementary Adds Cricket; More Carroll County Schools To Follow
On October 4, USYCA President Jamie Harrison brought cricket to Eldersburg Elementary in Carroll County. Due to inclement weather outside, the presentation was held inside the school’s gym, which was no problem for the easily adaptable Schools Program. Jamie was there at the invitation of Debbie C. Buenger, one of Eldersburg’s two PE instructors and the 2008 NASPE National Teacher of the Year.
The children took to cricket quickly and enthusiastically, as each class only needed a quick overview of the game before they were up and playing. Ms. Buenger and the school’s other PE instructor, Billy Kavalos, were very welcoming hosts. They have committed to making cricket a regular part of the school’s PE curriculum.
As an additional bonus, the cricket presentation was observed by Linda Kephart, Supervisor of Health and Physical Education for Carroll County Public Schools. Ms. Kephart was so impressed with the USYCA Schools Program that she immediately invited Jamie to present it to all county physical education teachers on February 22 at an in-service event at Winters Mill HS.
In a follow-up email, Ms. Kephart said, “Cricket is a great striking and strategy sport that can be enjoyed by students of all ability levels…. what a great addition this will be to our physical education curriculum!”
One of the sessions from that morning was videotaped by school staff and is available on the USYCA YouTube site.
Prince George’s County PE Teachers Get Their Cricket On
On Monday, USYCA President Jamie Harrison delivered cricket sets donated by DreamCricket.com to Physical Education teachers in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Jamie also instructed the teachers in the basics of cricket before leading them in a fun-filled game outside of Kenmoor Elementary School. As the teachers left, each was was given a Gray-Nicolls Lazer cricket set for use in their school.
Using Cricket To Implement A Character-Based Behavior System in School
From Prince George’s County PE teacher Charles Silberman in the September 15 issue of Md AHPERD eNEWS:
“As physical education teachers, we have a wonderful opportunity to use sport as a way to teach character and build students’ esteem. I would make your next unit specifically character-based using sports as the venue or start to implement a character-based behavior system into your teaching. Three examples of these suggestions are described below.
The first is the game of Cricket. Yes, cricket! In cricket, disrespect is not allowed. If a player looks at the umpire the wrong way, he can be suspended for multiple games without pay. Because around 80% of our communication is non-verbal, and a majority of students display disrespect with body posturing, I love using Cricket to highlight the importance of non-verbal communication and express that there are consequences for all disrespectful actions. In addition, teaching a new and foreign sport allows students to learn about another culture and how others may view our students character traits such as disrespect. This, then, becomes a launching board for discussing character more in detail and also acts as a mirror where students can see how their value system looks to others. Once they see this, they begin to internalize the notion that others receive poor principles negatively and that they might need to change their value system if they want to operate in the outside world.
There is an organization that can aid you if you are unfamiliar with how to teach Cricket and don’t have the equipment. The Maryland Youth Cricket Association comes out to schools to teach Cricket to children and donates equipment so they can play the game after this visit. Visit http:// www.marylandyouthcricket.org or email mdyouthcricket@gmail.com for more information…”
Posted in Cricket, Education, Youth Cricket
Tagged Maryland Youth Cricket Association, schools, Youth Cricket
USYCA Brings Cricket to Prince George’s County Public Schools
UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Prince George’s County Public Schools will become the first American school system to offer the centuries-old game of cricket to its physical education classes this fall.
The new program, sponsored by the United States Youth Cricket Association and delivered by the Maryland Youth Cricket Association, will give free equipment and instruction in the original American team sport to PGCPS elementary and middle schools. This fall, MYCA will begin training physical education teachers in the sport and provide schools with cricket equipment.
“Prince George’s County Public Schools is excited about this partnership that will bring the international sport of cricket to our teachers and students,” said Dr. William R. Hite, Jr. Superintendent of Schools.
Baltimore’s Hilton Elementary Is Now A Cricket School
Today, Jamie Harrison brought a cricket set and instruction to Hilton Elementary School in Baltimore. He spent the morning working with three different classes, introducing the game and then instructing while they played their first matches. Afterwards, the staff was so happy that they asked for a number of business cards and promised to contact Child First Authority about the program. Child First partners with 17 Baltimore City Public schools serving 1,300 students in after-school programs. A number of onlookers also asked for cards so that they could get more information about MYCA.
It had turned out to be another great day for youth cricket!
Athletes & Authors Camp Plays Cricket
On July 8, Jamie Harrison and Justin Bruchey brought cricket to the campers at Athletes & Authors on the grounds of St. Paul’s School for Girls, in Brooklandville. It was warm (95° +), but everyone had a great time. The camp has asked for a return engagement when the next set of campers arrive in two weeks.
UMBC Summer Day Camp Kids Discover Cricket
On Monday, Jamie Harrison, accompanied by former Cardinal Gibbons cricketers Justin Bruchey, Chris Colclough and Mike Karper, spent the morning teaching the campers at the University of Maryland Baltimore County’s Summer Day Camp the great game of cricket. Using the cricket set donated by the MYCA, the camp will now be playing cricket all summer long.
The children, ranging from ages 6-13, had a ton of fun as they played for the first time. The counselors also joined in, and will be instructing future groups of campers, who arrive on each Monday. UMBC is very excited about cricket, and has asked Jamie, an alum and current staff member, to explore with them ways in which cricket can be expanded at the university.
Stay tuned!
Posted in Cricket, UMBC, Youth Cricket
Tagged Maryland Youth Cricket Association, UMBC, Youth Cricket
Letter of Recommendation
We’ve received this very nice letter of recommendation from Mr. Charles Silberman of Prince George’s County Public Schools:
