By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – A new opportunity is coming to Shelby County for young athletes—and it’s unlike anything the state has seen before.

Alabama’s first structured youth cricket camp is set to launch this summer at Pelham Parks and Recreation, offering boys ages 6–18 a chance to learn one of the world’s most popular sports right in their own backyard.

The camp is a partnership between Pelham Parks and Recreation and the Alabama Youth Cricket Academy and will run for four weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30–8 p.m., beginning Tuesday, July 8. The registration deadline is Friday, June 20, and space is limited. The cost is $150, and each participant will receive a free camp jersey.

According to Brian Cooper, director of Pelham Parks and Recreation, the idea for the camp grew out of a strong relationship with a local group of cricket players who regularly use the batting cages at Pelham City Park.

“We’ve had an active group of cricket players here for several years,” Cooper said. “They periodically approached us with ideas, and the youth camp emerged as a particularly compelling initiative we could support.”

For beginners, the camp offers a welcoming introduction to the fundamentals of cricket—batting, bowling and fielding—with a focus on fun, fitness and engagement. For those with some experience, it offers a chance to sharpen skills through structured coaching and drills, with the potential to prepare for higher levels of play in the future.

A typical day at the camp will include cricket-specific warmups, conditioning drills like Yo-Yo runs and agility exercises, fielding and throwing drills and personalized batting and bowling sessions tailored to each camper’s skill level.

“Our goal is to provide a balanced day of learning, physical activity and enjoyment of the game,” said Balaji Varadhan, an organizer of the camp.

Instruction will come from qualified coaches, some of whom have played in competitive leagues or collegiate-level cricket. The academy emphasizes a coaching philosophy grounded in positive reinforcement, individual attention and structured skill progression.

The curriculum is designed to accommodate players of all skill levels. Beginners will learn basic stances, grip, underarm bowling and soft toss batting. More advanced players will focus on shot selection, bowling variations and game tactics.

All essential training equipment—such as wickets, softballs, pug nets and cones—will be provided, though campers are encouraged to bring their own bats and gloves for a proper fit. Spare equipment will also be available.

While cricket has not traditionally been part of the sports landscape in Alabama, organizers hope this camp will help change that.

“Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world,” Varadhan said. “Introducing it to youth in Alabama broadens their horizons, fosters cultural enrichment and taps into athletic talent that might not otherwise be exposed to the game.”

Beyond that, Varadhan says the program aligns with broader efforts to grow cricket in the U.S., especially outside traditional immigrant communities or major metro areas.

“This camp contributes to USA Cricket’s goal of expanding the sport’s reach and building a national talent pipeline,” he said. “Alabama represents a new frontier.”

Looking ahead, Cooper hopes this inaugural camp is just the beginning.

“We’re excited to see where this takes us,” he said. “If the response is strong, we’d love to explore recurring camps, league play and school-based programs in the future. It’s all about growing the game, one player at a time. We just want to see kids out there learning a new sport, having fun and discovering something they might carry with them for years to come.”

For questions about the camp or equipment, parents can contact Varadhan at 205-999-7801.