A Growing Community Need!

Imagine the excitement of hundreds of youth in Greater Austin eager to play the sport they love, but with no dedicated field to gather, train, play and build their skills in cricket — a sport with a rich cultural heritage and growing popularity across the U.S.

For young cricket enthusiasts in the Greater Austin area, finding a place to play has become a frustrating challenge. Limited access to cricket fields is holding back a thriving community from connecting, growing, and excelling in a game enjoyed by millions around the world.

The Need for Dedicated Cricket Fields in Greater Austin

Interest in cricket in the U.S. has soared by over 200% in recent years, with youth participation growing rapidly in Texas. Nationwide, more than 30 million people identify as cricket fans. In Texas, cricket activities are expanding across cities, counties and schools.

The World-Cup games were played in the USA earlier this year. Top international players have been playing in Major League Cricket (MLC). International media has highlighted the growth of cricket in the USA.

The Greater Austin area is home to one of the fastest-growing populations of South Asian immigrants and other communities from cricket-playing nations like the UK, Australia, and the Caribbean. These residents bring a deep cultural affinity for cricket, often introducing the sport to their children as a cherished tradition.

Cricket is not only a sport; it’s a bridge for our culturally diverse community. It fosters teamwork, fitness, and resilience while bringing families together. 

The Challenges

We have over 250 eager boys and girls vying for time on just two shared cricket fields. The field availability to play is additionally complicated by:

a) Adult leagues occupying the fields during the most of playing hours 
b) No floodlights for practice or games after sunset 
c) Fields closed for maintenance and other recreational events

This is causing ongoing stress and strain within cricket-playing communities, as there are:

a) Persistent scheduling challenges 
b) Inability to train various competitive age-groups 
c) Absence of regular and full youth league games

Key Achievements Despite Challenges

Our youth cricket community in Greater Austin has made rapid progress and achieved the following despite limited infrastructure:

a) Austin has been established as one of 18 Youth Cricket Hubs across the country, by the national governing body, USA Cricket (image of the inaugural Austin Hub game above)

b) Cricket has been approved to be part of Off Campus PE Credit (OCPE) by 3 ISDs (Round Rock, Leander and Liberty Hill) of Greater Austin area.

c) Cricket Festivals have been organized and School Cricket Clubs have established to engage broader communities and provide them with a new sport option to play. 

Yet, with no dedicated youth cricket fields, young players struggle to further engage in this sport—resulting in missed opportunities for community engagement, youth development, and cultural connection.

Community & Economic Benefits

Creating these cricket fields would benefit:

1) Youth Development: Dedicated fields will support after-school programs and local leagues, giving young players an opportunity to develop their skills and participate in healthy, competitive sports.
2) Community Unity: Cricket draws families together from diverse backgrounds, creating a shared space for cultural exchange, friendships, and community pride.
3) Economic Impact: Hosting local and regional cricket events could bring spectators, business, and tourism to Greater Austin, strengthening our local economy.

Our Appeal

We respectfully urge the City Council of Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park and Leander, and the County Commissioners of Williamson, Travis and Hays County to work with local youth cricket organizations to identify and establish dedicated cricket fields. 

This simple step would offer tremendous benefits, from improving youth engagement to enhancing community cohesion. Our youth deserve a place to play. Let’s support their passion and give them the fields they need.

Sign this petition today to make cricket accessible to all young players in Greater Austin!