One Community Cricket day brings West Berkshire community together

Cohesion group Community United has celebrated its third cricket and family fun day in West Berkshire.

Eight teams took to Falkland Cricket Club for a friendly game – albeit in the pouring rain.

The returning teams comprised of West Berkshire Indian Team, West Berkshire Muslim Centre adult team and youth team, Thames Valley Police West Berkshire and Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality from Reading.

New to the event this year were Soton Raiders led by James Reid from Fink Street Food, an all women team from Bradfield Kites and a mixed team from abuse support charity Project Salama.

The event was declared opened with a speech by chairman of the National Asian Cricket Council Gulfraz Riaz and the mayor of Newbury Nigel Foot.

And the weather did not dampen spirits with the teams soldiering on and playing at least two games.

The match was umpired by Berkshire Cricket Officials Association, as well as Gulfraz Riaz.

This year’s winner of the One Community Cup was Thames Valley Police West Berkshire who also took the Cup in 2021.

Last year’s winners, West Berkshire Muslim Centre’s adult team, came in second place this year, with Bradfield Kites women bagging the Sportspersonship Cup.

Children’s activities were supported by Time to Talk West Berkshire, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service from Newbury Station and Berkshire Youth.

Attendees watched and ate freshly made food like appum from the Indian community.

Community United thanked Carmel Harper, from Reading, for showcasing West Indian food.

It said: “The team from Community United are very grateful for the support especially when there are challenges with racism and lack of inclusion in sports.

“Thank you to the volunteers, teams, food and information stallholders, first aiders from M&M Medical, the Mayors of Newbury and Thatcham, the Bowlers Arms and the community especially who had taken time to support this end-of-summer event.

“Thank you to Newbury Malayalee Cultural Association for supporting with the sound system and music.”

Community United director Alice Kunjappy-Clifton added: “Though we had challenges with the weather and the Newbury Show, the spirit was high from those who attended.”

The event was supported by Newbury Racecourse, Falkland Cricket Club and Berkshire Cricket Foundation.