Street20 fun stops boredom

Ali Syad and Vandil Patel were speaking to Paul Plumbly, C4C Coach, about what attending the C4C run ‘StreetChance’ sessions at Heston Community Sports Hall in Hounslow (every Wednesday evening from 5pm to 8pm) means to them:

(The picture is from the 'Peace at the Crease' event earlier in 2011)

(1)   Can you please introduce yourself?

Hounslow Community Session participants; Ali Syad and Vandil Patel, both aged 15 years of age.


(2)   How did you come to be involved with Cricket for Change community sessions?

We both go to Heston school where we have the cricket sessions and saw a flyer and our teacher told us more about it. We started coming when Alex (Alex Bassan, C4C Coach) was here and now with Paul (Paul Plumbly, C4C Coach).

(These sessions have been running since 2010)


(3)   What do you most enjoy about your sessions?

Ali - Everyone is friends even though we have different age groups coming to the session. You don’t have to pay.

Vandil - The coach makes it fun and fair for everyone to play. I feel safe coming here after school because Sean (Sean Herdmen from the Metropolitan Police) from the SNT (Safer Neighbourhood Team) comes and helps Paul.


(4)   What difference has Cricket for Change made to your life?

Vandil - If I wasn’t coming to cricket I would be at home bored. I like coming because it gives me a short break from my studies as I am doing my exams.

Ali - I now play for my school team and I think my cricket has got a lot better.


(5)   What are your ambitions for the rest of 2011?

Vandil – To pass my exams

Ali – Same and help my cousin who is 8 to come and play cricket here.


(6)   If you could sum up your Cricket for Change experiences in five words, what would they be?     

FUN, FRIENDLY, ACTIVE, HEALTHY, HELPING