Organisers bowled over with cricketing success

A Sunderland City Council 11 took on a team from Young Asian Voices in the friendly at Wearmouth Cricket Club in Thomson Road, Southwick.

The match came about after K Ramanthas (Ram), Young Asian Voices' (YAV) Executive Manager challenged the City Council's Assistant Director of Housing Services, Graham Scanlon, to a match.

Graham said: "The game came about after Ram found out I played cricket and challenged me and the council to a friendly game.  

"The aim was simply to build and develop relationships but when some of the council's partners found out about the match they offered to sponsor it which meant we were able to raise £800 for YAV which was great."

The council team batted first in a 20 over a side game. The council team scoring 138. YAV batted well too with the score tied with one ball to go. On the very last ball of the game YAV won the game. 

The money raised from the sponsorship will be used to support YAV and their wider community activities. 

Councillor Kevin Johnston, Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Dynamic City was part of the team the City Council fielded for the game.

Cllr Johnston said: "It was a great match and we were really pleased a crowd of supporters turned up to watch.  

"YAV do a tremendous amount of valuable work in the community promoting diversity and multiculturalism and we're really grateful for all the sponsorship which resulted in the match raising £800 and that will be put to good work in the community. We're also grateful to Wearmouth Cricket Club for hosting the game." 

Among the sponsors were Wearmouth Cricket Club and the city's Yuvraj restaurant.

Ram said: "I would like to say a big thank you to the City Council's Assistant Director of Housing Services, Graham Scanlon, who played a key role in bring both organisations together using a friendly cricket match as a way of breaking down barriers and fostering cohesion.

"Wearmouth & YAV CC members enjoyed the whole evening and we are grateful for the support everyone gave to make this special event possible. We had over 50 people attended, and everyone had a positive friendship experience.
 
"We hope to do another rematch to celebrate this special partnership between the organisations and extend this opportunity to wider community members also.

"Thank you to all the sponsors and supporters for their valuable contributions, greatly appreciated by all of us."

More images at: Cricket - Young Asian Voices (YAV)