CRICKET LEINSTER UNVEILS DUBLIN CITY TAPE BALL PROJECT

In another step to emerging with a stronger cricket provision for all post Covid, Cricket Leinster has joined forces with Dublin City Council and the North-East Inner-City Initiative to create a pilot ‘Tape Ball’ cricket programme for adults living in the North-East Inner-City area.

The pilot will commence in February 2022 at Mountjoy Square. The concept has been created with the support of the North-East Inner-City Initiative and Dublin City Council.  It is the first time they have partnered Cricket Leinster in targeting adults, particularly those from new communities in the area of creating new cricketing opportunities.

Tape Ball, is of course, not a new version of the game, but has its roots back in Pakistan during the 1960s where passionate cricketers found a way to play, without access to traditional facilities.  The format has played a fundamental role in the development of many internationals such as Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis and will now for the first time formally, be piloted under the Cricket Leinster banner in Ireland.

Heading the Cricket Leinster pilot in the initial stages will be Mosharrof Hossain, a Clondalkin CC cricketer and well-known Leinster umpire who added ‘I am delighted to have been asked to run the pilot events and commend the efforts of Dublin City Council and Cricket Leinster to bring together the support behind Tape Ball, to make it the fastest-growing format of the game in Leinster’.

Bruce McDevitt from Dublin City Council and the North-East Inner-City Initiative was delighted to back the creation of Tape Ball cricket saying “We are proud to be the partners in creating this first Tape Ball pilot and fully endorse the message from Cricket Leinster of being a sport for all in Dublin”.

McDevitt further noted this might be the first, but hopefully not the last time they collaborate with Cricket Leinster on such targeted projects.  “Covid has caused many firsts, and we want this pilot to be the first of many we run with Cricket Leinster, as their passion to emerge from COVID stronger than when they went in, is an example to all sports as to what the goal must be”.

Indeed, there was a boost for Tape Ball enthusiasts before a ball has been bowled with eight time All Ireland winning Dublin Footballer and NEIC Sports Engagement Manager Michael Darragh Macauley stating his support for the concept adding: “We welcome the ongoing pilot of Tape Ball cricket and have made it clear to Cricket Leinster, if the concepts works, the North East Inner City will aim to add it to our portfolio of cricketing opportunities within the area for young people through the support of building sustainable cricket opportunities within the area.

Brian O’Rourke, Cricket Leinster Development Manager added his delight with Dublin City Council and the North-East Inner-City Initiative “it shows once again, the support of the local councils behind our goal of enabling all who want to play cricket get that opportunity.  I call on all interested in Tape Ball, to contact us at Cricket Leinster and allow us to showcase to these council’s just how many want to participate in Leinster”. As well as the current group involved with activities at Mountjoy Square, another group calling themselves Dubs Cricket have been busy practising themselves at Fairview Park and are eagerly awaiting an invite to Mountjoy Square to partake in formal fixtures in the coming weeks.