During the Off-Season, we will be catching up on some of the brilliant Community Initiatives which have taken place at Sophia Gardens this season. The first is the Cardiff Community Cricket Cup (CCCC) - a dynamic, non-profit, community-driven initiative with a primary goal to cultivate greater connectivity within the community while combating cultural and social isolation through the power of positive action and sportsmanship.
In its seventh year, the CCCC continues to leverage the popularity of cricket, a sport deeply cherished by many ethnically diverse communities, as a powerful vehicle for dismantling barriers and uniting communities. The annual competition brings together a diverse array of teams representing various cultural communities across Cardiff. These teams forge new relationships with official organisations and other community groups, creating a vibrant celebration of multiculturalism. Importantly, the CCCC provides nearly cost-free opportunities for teams inclusive of players from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Somalia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, the West Indies, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh to play cricket. This inclusivity underscores the tournament's commitment to diversity and community integration.
The CCCC harbours long-term ambitions to effect genuine change across Cardiff's diverse communities for years to come. It aspires to foster cohesion among communities residing in some of Cardiff's most underprivileged areas, fostering active participation, mitigating societal and cultural exclusion, dismantling barriers, uniting communities and nurturing trust among them. With six successful years behind it, the project continues to grow, with approximately 10-14 teams from various local communities participating each year.
The initiative enjoys the staunch support of organisations and authorities such as South Wales Police, including the Chief Constable, Glamorgan County Cricket Club, and Cricket Wales. These partnerships aim to foster better relationships and understanding among all stakeholders. Local police officers attend games throughout the competition and interact with players in a positive and constructive environment. This engagement has garnered positive feedback from the South Wales Police, who appreciate the opportunity to interact with diverse communities, often for the first time.
The CCCC culminates in the "Grand Finale Day" event at Sophia Gardens International Cricket Stadium, where the winning team earns the privilege of playing against a Cricket Wales select Community XI. This grand spectacle unfolds in vibrant, coloured kits and is free of charge, courtesy of Cricket Wales. It has become a spectacular multicultural family day event that captures substantial attention in both national and social media. As the project gains momentum, this coverage is expected to grow year by year.
For a visual journey through the past seven years of the competition, you can explore a wealth of pictures and videos on the competition's official Twitter page: @CardiffCCCup. These visual records vividly depict the spirit of unity, diversity, and community fostered by the CCCC.
This year’s "Grand Finale" game took place on 19 September and was an indoor game due to bad weather between The Roti Group, the winner’s of this year’s competition, and a Cricket Wales' invitational XI.