Cricket in the City of Toronto Background: Cricket was the first national sport of Canada, from 1867, and is now the second most popular sport in the world. The sport has become increasingly popular across the City which is a reflection of the changing demographics. Growing numbers of new immigrants from countries such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Caribbean and Africa nations grew up playing cricket back home. Playing cricket here in Toronto is a way of reclaiming their identity. Cricket gives new immigrants something they can connect to and provides a link between the homeland and the adopted country. ‘Playing cricket in a cold country is not without challenges, including the lack of regulation cricket pitches, the inclement weather and the fact that use of City parks by sports teams is not permitted until mid-May. While the game tends to be dominated by newcomers to Canada and second-generation immigrants, it is slowly catching the interest of the Canadian-born typically more comfortable wielding a hockey stick or baseball bat (Cricket Canada).’ Toronto Population Demographics: Toronto’s population is approximately 2.6 people. Nearly half of the City’s population (47% or 1,162,635 people) are visible minorities. The City of Toronto’s visible minority population has increased by 10.6% since 2001, and by 31.8% since 1996. It is estimated that by 2012, the visible minority population in Toronto will be the majority (Census 2006).
1) The South Asian population has now overtaken Chinese as the top visible minority group in Toronto, with a population of 298,370 or 12.0%. South Asia is the top region of origin for recent immigrants settling in Toronto (26% - predominantly from India at 12%). The South Asian countries include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. South Asian Neighbourhoods:
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According to Statistics Canada Census 2006, the following neighbourhoods have been identified as being highly populated by the South Asian community: • West Humber – Clairville • Mount Olive – Silverstone – Jamestown • Thistletown – Beaumond Heights • Humber Summit • Flemingdon Park • Thorncliffe Park • Oakridge • Dorset Park • Woburn • Malvern Rouge
Prepared by Tammy Waugh-Stewart, Research Analyst, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, City of Toronto
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South Asia Countries and Cricket: Bangladesh: Everywhere on the Indian subcontinent, cricket is a passion. Though Bangladesh is not a cricket test nation, it is one of the strongest sides among the second-tier countries. People also follow the matches of Pakistan, a world power in cricket. The Bangladeshis have hosted international test matches. India: India's national passion is cricket. Introduced by the British, cricket is perfectly suited to the warm Indian climate and pace of life. Teams from all states compete, with players selected for the national team, which has achieved world standing. During international matches, people listen to radio broadcasts everywhere. Pakistan: Field hockey, cricket and squash are favourite sports. Pakistani soccer players are among the best in the world, but cricket is the country's passion. Cricket is to Pakistanis what hockey is to Canadians. Sri Lanka: Cricket, introduced by the British in the 18th century, has become the country's most popular sport. Team players are treated as national heroes. Radio broadcasts of games in Tamil, Sinhalese and English can be heard in many public places.
2) The Black population is the third top visible minority in Toronto, with a population of 208,555 or 8.4%. The top regions of origin for Black immigrants settling in Toronto are Caribbean, Central and South America (10%) and Africa (6%). The Caribbean (or commonly referred to as the West Indies) include islands such as Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago. Africa is made up of 53 countries most of which were created by early European colonialism. Black Neighbourhoods: According to Statistics Canada Census 2006, the following neighbourhoods have been identified as being highly populated by the Black community: • West Humber – Clairville • Mount Olive – Silverstone – Jamestown • Elms – Old Rexdale • Weston • Mount Dennis • North St. James Town • Black Creek • Glenfield – Jane Heights • Downsview – Roding – CFB •
Rustic • • • • • •
Brookhaven – Amesbury Beechborough – Greenbrook Malvern West Hill Highland Creek Rouge
Prepared by Tammy Waugh-Stewart, Research Analyst, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, City of Toronto
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The Caribbean, Central and South American Countries and Cricket: Barbados: Cricket, the national sport, is played throughout the year, as weather conditions are ideal for the game. Children start playing cricket at an early age. International matches are played in Kensington Oval. Barbados always supplies the West Indies team with excellent cricketers. Grenada: Cricket, soccer (called football) and netball are the most popular sports on the island. Cricket is played from January to June and during that time there is a game almost every Saturday and Sunday. Jamaica: Jamaica's favourite sports are soccer and cricket. Introduced by the British in the 19th century, cricket quickly rose in popularity. Many captains of the West Indies cricket team have come from Jamaica. St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Cricket and soccer are very popular in St. Vincent. Both children and adults play these sports, either casually or competitively. Vincentians organize cricket and soccer games on any flat, open ground, including the beach. Many Vincentians have been selected to represent the West Indies in cricket. Trinidad and Tobago: Cricket is a popular sport in T & T. T & T nationals, as part of the West Indian cricket team, have dominated this game internationally for years. People play cricket in parks, on the street and in open spaces during the dry season. Guyana (South America): The British introduced cricket to Guyana. People from Guyana excel at the sport and are often recruited to play for the English cricket clubs. Cricket is the national sport of Guyana and is played and enjoyed by both men and women. The Guyanese follow the International Test Matches with great enthusiasm. Both men's and women's teams compete at national, school, county and village levels. African Countries and Cricket: Africa's climate is ideal for outdoor sports and recreation all through the year. Soccer, rugby and cricket are the most popular sports in Africa. South Africa is home to the African Cricket Association with members from the following African countries: • Botswana • Malawi • Nigeria • Swaziland • Cameroon • Mali • Rwanda • Uganda • Gambia • Mauritius • Seychelles • Tanzania • Ghana • Morocco • Sierra Leone • Zambia • Kenya • Mozambique • St. Helena Island • Zimbabwe • Lesotho • Namibia
3) In 2006, 28% of all ethnic origins in Toronto were European (the largest cluster of ethnic groups in Toronto) with 19% identified coming from the British Isles (including England, Scotland, and Ireland). Europe was the third top regions of origin for recent immigrants settling in Toronto (14% - primarily Eastern European countries). European Countries and Cricket: England: Cricket is England's national game. The game developed from its origins in England from the beginning of the 17th century into a game which is now played professionally in most of the Commonwealth of Nations. Prepared by Tammy Waugh-Stewart, Research Analyst, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, City of Toronto
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Cricket was introduced to North America via the English colonies in the 17th century. In the 18th century it arrived in other parts of the globe. It was introduced to the West Indies by colonists and to India by British East India Company mariners in the first half of the century. It arrived in Australia almost as soon as colonization began in 1788. New Zealand and South Africa followed in the early years of the 19th century. Neighbourhood Cricket Demographics: To meet the recreational needs of the City’s diverse population, Cricket grounds have been developed throughout the City and used by many Cricket leagues. The following is a list of Cricket pitches constructed on City parks: 1) Etobicoke York District: Park
Neighbourhood
Used by League
Colonel Samuel Smith Park (one pitch)
New Toronto
Brampton - Etobicoke & District Cricket League
Centennial Park (two pitches)
Eringate – Centennial – West Deane
Brampton - Etobicoke & District Cricket League
Eglinton Flats (two pitches)
Weston – Mt. Dennis
Toronto & District Cricket Association
Humberline Park (one pitch)
West Humber – Clairville
Toronto & District Cricket Association
Summerlea Park (one pitch)
Elms – Old Rexdale
Brampton - Etobicoke & District Cricket League
Richview Park (one pitch)
Willowridge – Martingrove - Richview
Proposed site: Thackeray Park (Neighbourhood: Jamestown) http://www.torontoparksandtrees.org/cricket.htm#participate 2) Toronto and East York District: Park
Neighbourhood
Cedarvale Park (one pitch)
Humewood – Cedarvale
McCleary Park (one pitch)
South Riverdale
Used by League
3) North York District: Park
Neighbourhood
Caledonia Park (two pitches)
Lawrence Heights
Norfinch Sports Fields (one pitch)
Jane – Finch
Toronto & District Cricket Association Canadian Commonwealth Cricket Association Canadian Commonwealth Cricket Association
Keele Reservoir (two pitches)
York University Heights
Canadian Commonwealth Cricket Association
Prepared by Tammy Waugh-Stewart, Research Analyst, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, City of Toronto
Used by League
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Park
Neighbourhood
Used by League
G. Ross Lord Park (two pitches)
Westminster – Branson
Toronto & District Cricket Association
Sunnybrook Park (three pitches)
Bridle Path – Sunnybrook – York Mills
Toronto & District Cricket Association
Eglinton Park
Lawrence Park South
Memorial Park
Forest Hill North
Downsview Park
Downsview – Roding – CFB
Canadian Commonwealth Cricket Association
Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club
Bedford Park - Nortown
Toronto & District Cricket Association
Park
Neighbourhood
Used by League
L’Amoreaux Park (one pitch)
Steeles – L’Amoreaux
Scarborough Cricket Association
Ellesmere Ravine Park (two pitches) University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus (one pitch)
Morningside
Scarborough Cricket Association
Highland Creek
Scarborough Cricket Association
Ashtonbee Reservoir (one pitch)
Wexford/Maryvale
Terry Fox Park
Steeles – L’Amoreaux
Scarborough Cricket Association Canadian Commonwealth Cricket Association Scarborough Cricket Association
Goldhawk Park
Milliken
Scarborough Cricket Association
Wexford Park
Wexford/Maryvale
Percy Cummings Police Grounds
Milliken
4) East District:
Canadian Commonwealth Cricket Association
Priority Neighbourhoods: Most of the City’s priority neighbourhoods (13 neighbourhoods that are at socio-economic risk) exhibit a higher than average number of visible minorities and recent immigrants. Similar to the profile of visible minority populations, almost every priority neighbourhood has a higher than average proportion of recent immigrants (near or almost 2/3 of the population). City Neighbourhoods Identified as Highly Populated by South Asian and Black Communities: Neighbourhood West Humber – Clairville
Has a Cricket Ground?
Priority Neighbourhood?
Mount Olive – Silverstone – Jamestown
Thistletown – Beaumond Heights Prepared by Tammy Waugh-Stewart, Research Analyst, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, City of Toronto
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Neighbourhood
Has a Cricket Ground?
Humber Summit (Jane – Finch)
Priority Neighbourhood?
Flemingdon Park Thorncliffe Park Oakridge Dorset Park
Woburn Malvern
Rouge Elms – Old Rexdale
Weston Mount Dennis
North St. James Town Black Creek (Jane – Finch)
Glenfield – Jane Heights (Jane – Finch) Downsview – Roding – CFB
Rustic Brookhaven – Amesbury Beechborough – Greenbrook West Hill Highland Creek
Of the 23 identified neighbourhoods highly populated by the South Asian/Black communities: • Nine are a priority neighbourhood (39%) • Six have cricket grounds (26%) • 17 do not have a cricket ground (74%) Note: this is not a conclusive list of neighbourhoods in the City of Toronto with higher than average populations of visible minorities/newcomers.
Prepared by Tammy Waugh-Stewart, Research Analyst, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, City of Toronto
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