MATAWAN (NJ): After a three major international tours since December 20 14 (India, Guyana and Sri Lanka) , the United States of America Global Cricket Academy (USAGCA) is preparing for another international (Pacific) tour down under to Australia and New Zealand during December 16 2016 to January 4, 2017.
The Academy, registered [501(c)(3)], is a non- profit organization in the United States since 1999 and Winner of the Best Junior Development Initiative, International Cricket Council (ICC) Global Award in 2003. It also has the recognition of the United States Cricket Association (USACA). USAGCA resumed its youth cricket International tours with the 2014-15 grand tour of India.
USAGCA continues to provide needed support for many Elite / Talented players in USA. USAGCA congratulate all youth players Selected /invited by the ICC Americas for U17 Match Play Event and group of 30 Under-17 players that will work towards seeing the USA qualify for the 2018 U-19 World Cup via Americas Regional Qualifying event in 2017. U17 Match play event involves a series of matches for the USA Squad of 14 against Canada and Bermuda and is an excellent opportunity for the selected players to apply their skills under match pressure against international opposition.
USAGCA takes a pride with 14 out of 30 players selected / invited and 6 out 14 players invited to match play event, who has toured with the academy team(s) in the past to elevate their games.
USAGCA International tours teams that traveled to India, Guyana and Sri Lanka were comprised of players from various academies and youth programs across USA. Over all talented Players participation from all regions in USA and selected from 18 states in the past. Tours contains many elite players who has played or capable to play at national competitions and international event level for USA.
During December 2014 – January 2015, USAGCA 32 players, 12 coaches/official and many parents with Under 17 and Under 19 teams went to India during the Christmas Break. It was 18-day tour on which they played most of their matches in Gujarat. The Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) provided them with grounds and infrastructure and helped the young American cricketers to learn new tricks about the game of cricket. Tour was also in collaborated by Gujarat Government.
During March 28 to April 6, 2015, USAGCA, 42 players with eight coaches /officials for Under-18, Under-15 and Under-13 teams toured Guyana. As part of its cricket development initiative, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) collaborated / association with the USA Global Cricket Academy (USAGCA) for a youth friendly competition. three age group teams participated in six rounds of matches with three games being contested each day. Teams played matches against Guyana’s U-15 and U-17 teams, County sides, Association teams and Clubs sides and matches were held in West Demerara, East Coast, Berbice, Georgetown, and at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence on the East Bank.
During December 2015- January 2016, USAGCA 50 members, including more than 10 officials and many parents completed tour to Sri Lanka for an 18-day competition-cum-training tour with the combined Under-19 and Under-21 and Combined Under-15 and Under-17 teams, and played more than 20 matches and many high profile coaching sessions at different International venues. USAGCA joined a Great Cricket Steps initiative of Sri Lanka, with assurances to organize cricket tournaments in Sri Lanka and the USA. The 2015-16 USAGCA’s tour to Sri Lanka was an opportunity to expand cordial relations between the two nations’ cricket authorities and the players.
Over the years USA Cricket Academy with the vision "BUILDING GREAT CRICKET PROFESSIONALS" has a long and distinguished association with the USA junior Cricket teams like U13 team to Barbados in 2003. Four Under 18 teams to Trinidad, U15 and U19 teams to Wales. Four U19 teams to the Sir Garfield Sobers Tournament in Barbados. Also an U18 team tour to India and Sri Lanka during 2006.
The Management of the Academy released a combined statement ahead of this tour — "This tour will provide great chance and the best opportunities for our players to play at the best pitches to get International cricket experience. Strong challenge from the most talented local players and teams. Tour will help our elite players to gain more confidence with vital experience as many players have played National, ICC Americas & International cricket. This tour will provide the right platform for all players to become professional and stay on top for the all future cricket events in USA and prepare them for the next U19 World Cup"
USAGCA founder and President Ashok Patel said "This tour is primarily focused on learning and gaining some experience, while playing at the best venues and against highly competitive and talented local teams in Australia & New Zealand. Our main goal is to provide more playing and learning opportunities to our talented players to hone their skills. Players will have golden opportunity and lifetime memorable tour, as they are visiting New Zealand ahead of the next ICC U19 world cup which is scheduled to be in New Zealand" Many of our National stars will have 1st hand experience to play in New Zealand.
The USAGCA management team comprised of Ashok Patel (President & Founder), Rahul Sharma (Global Operations Manager/CEO), Jatin Patel (Global Development Manager), David P. Sentence (Director of communication / PR).
