Warriors : Can cricket really bring change to the Maasai region?

Warriors is a documentary following a group of young Maasai who, in a remote region of Kenya, have remarkably formed a cricket team. They relate the sport to their traditional hunting techniques – the ball is the spear, the bat is the shield – and their flowing red robes in full flight are an awesome sight. The film whose executive producer is Englands leading wicket taker Jimmy Anderson, follows the team as they pursue their dream of reaching England, the home of cricket, and test themselves in the amateur Last Man Stands World Championship.

But there is a darker heart to the story. The Maasai are male dominated, women have few rights – even to their own bodies – and girls as young as six have suffered Female Genital Mutilation and early marriages. Traditional practices such as these have also contributed to the spread of HIV/Aids, and now many believe the future of the Maasai is under serious threat. The Warriors cricket team are using their new-found unity on the field as an inspiration to those off it, attempting to educate and give young people a sense of belonging, support, and hope. However, they face resistance from the elders of their community – well-respected and wise men who hold all Maasai traditional practices dear and carry great influence. They fear losing any of their traditions will herald the end of the Maasai. Can cricket really bring change to the region?

The Maasai Warriors are more than cricketers; they are the hope of future generations © Warrior Films website

“They play cricket, sleep cricket, dream cricket, and drink and eat cricket every day”

In contemporary cricket, the rise of Maasai Warriors can be compared to only Afghanistan’s. They took giant strides in the world of cricket despite having no infrastructure, kit, or exposure to quality cricket. These stories and others really demonstrate the power of cricket and its ability to change the world, for the better. Flicx was developed off the back of the apartheid era in South Africa as a vehicle to bring people together through sport (Read More)… our roll out, portable pitch enabled new facilities to be created and the game to grow. We were pleased to hear recently that a Flicx Pitch was donated to the Maasai Warriors cricket team by the British Army and you can see footage in the Warriors movie trailer …. we have heard other remarkable stories from around the world with cricket being used to bring peace to regions such as Israel and how cricket has changed so many lives for the better. (Read More)

This is the true value of sport and we look forward to watching the Warriors film – you can find your local screening by visiting the website  www.warriorsfilm.co.uk

‘This is absolutely incredible! We are playing cricket on the summit of Africa!’

Cricket legend Ashley Giles was among the stars of the game, past and present, in attendance as the world’s highest ever cricket match was played out near the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on Friday.

Balls were plucked out of thin air and hit onto the roof of Africa as the match was played in a freezing ice crater near Mt Kilimanjaro. 

England limited overs coach Giles and South African fast bowling legend Makhaya Ntini were among the participants, which took place not far from the 19,341ft (5,895m) Tanzanian summit known as the roof of Africa.  

Warming up!

Run out?

Heather Knight in bat

Mt Kili Madness

Cricket on top of the world #5785

A group of more than 30 players, official umpires and support crew trekked almost 20,000 feet to the top of the great African peak over eight days in a bid to surpass the record set in 2009 on Mount Everest.   

The two teams, also including former England women’s captain Clare Connor, current national representative Heather Knight and more from Australia, Canada, Kenya and South Africa, reached their target around dawn on Friday after slowly scaling the mountain to ensure they acclimatise properly.

They then rolled out a plastic pitch 2G Flicx Pitch over the ice and set about playing a full Twenty20 match. Just by being there, let alone playing a game of cricket, the teams risked acute mountain sickness, deadly pulmonary or cerebral oedema, but it’s all for a good cause.

@elimerchant @kilimadness @ConnorCricket @AltCricket @FlicxPitch @chscricket Flicx pitch was fab…without it no game was possible…thanks

— David Harper (@HpaDavid) September 29, 2014

For their efforts they aim to raise money that will go towards cancer research, African wildlife conservation charity Tusk Trust and building Rwanda`s first international cricket pitch. The match, once ratified by authorities, will break the 2009 Everest record by about 600 metres.

Kili conquered! Cricket at 5752m and new world record set! Unbelievably tough, but an amazing trip. Warm shower and beer time!

— Heather Knight (@Heatherknight55) September 27, 2014

 

Mt Kili Madness and Flicx UK …taking cricket to a whole new level

Today, Wednesday 16th July, will see the official launch of Mt Kili Madness – a fundraising attempt to play the highest game of cricket ever at an impressive 5,785 metres. Flicx UK are playing a big part in this match as official supplier of the pitch, a new 2G surface which enables you to play cricket on any flat surface, just by rolling it out. The pitch will be carried in pieces up Africa’s highest peak in Tanzania before being joined up and rolled out for the record breaking game.

Mt Kili Madness

22 players, with the all star line up to be announced at the Oval in the official launch, will risk altitude sickness and many other challenges all to raise money to stop poaching and beat cancer. The expedition will set off on Saturday 20th September for a 7 day hike to the summit where the 2G Flicx Pitch will be laid, stumps set up and the cucumber sandwiches cut in preparation for a 20-20 game where the winners will be crowned kings of the mountains whilst the losers face a long trip back down (carrying all the kit!).

NB- To qualify for World Record status, the two teams must play a game of T20 overseen by qualified ECB umpires. Both teams will have to do so after a challenging seven-day climb, risking altitude sickness – a feat which 30% of climbers fail.

Not sure the heels & dress will be part of our @kilimadness trekking outfit. Thanks @FlicxPitch for supporting us! pic.twitter.com/SX1YhU7czd

— Clare Connor (@ConnorCricket) July 21, 2014

Mt Kili Madness is aiming to break the world record for the highest cricket game which stands at 5,100m and took place at Everest base camp. Flicx UK supplied the pitch to that trip too on the proviso that the pitch will be donated to a local school. The legacy plan has been put in place for the new 2G Flicx Pitch donated to Kili Madness with owner Richard Beghin delighted to support this unusual fundraising bid for Cancer Research UK, the Rwanda Cricket stadium foundation and Tusk “Mt Kili Madness is an exciting project which we were delighted to lend our backing to in the form of a donation of one of our new 2G pitches. The new surface will enable the record breaking game to be a great one and all raising vital funds for two great charities. The legacy is important to us as a company too and we will be pleased leave the pitch with a local school to enable them to enjoy cricket well after the Mt Kili Madness teams have gone.

Organiser David Harper added: “Playing at the top of Mt Kilimanjaro will bring a world record to Africa, raise significant sponsorship for three very worthwhile charities, and help raise awareness of the harm that poaching is doing to wildlife across the continent…as well as allowing me to indulge my fantasy of playing against some high quality international cricketers.”

This promises to be a truly an epic challenge, an unforgettable experience, and one which will put cricket at the top of the world. Here at Flicx UK we will be following the story every step of the way as we believe cricket has a wonderful ability to bring people together. For more information or to donate towards their £500,000 target click here

Cricket Kit 4 Africa – Help by donating your unwanted kit!

Cricket Kit 4 Africa is an initiate to  help grow and build  the game of cricket in Africa

As the game and the popularity of cricket grows around the world so does the need for kit and equipment.  This is especially the case in Africa, where you will find young  people create a game in car parks, on the beaches and even in the middle of game parks!

Cricket Kit 4 Africa

Cricket, as in many sports, allows young boys and girls to express themselves and gain new skills and talents. The youngsters are often found living with terrible poverty and surrounded by devastating diseases such as AIDS and TB. Cricket gives them an opportunity to break away from the realities of this devastating life and do those things that children should be doing – Living life and having fun.

The cost of kit becomes prohibitive for many young families and this is where the initiative of Cricket Kit4 Africa comes in…

Cricket kit 4 Africa is committed to obtaining old and second hand cricket kit that is no longer used or is even damaged and gets it into the hands of those who will benefit from it in Africa. The initiative is driven by Flicx UK ( a cricket equipment company based near Brackley, with roots in Africa).

“ It is our objective to work with cricketing bodies, clubs and individuals from around the world to collect old cricket kit, get it cleaned, repaired and in a fit state and get it into the hands of those enthusiastic youngsters who are less privileged than ourselves. We have large storage facilities and access to industrial sewing equipment to have any kit repaired and we are appealing to all those of you who may have kit in your garages or attics to contact us . We are also appealing for donations , no matter how big or small, to help fund this vital initiative” said owner Richard Beghin 

If you can help please contact Flicx UK on 01295 816765 – we work with our partners SOS Kit Aid to get the kit collected and sent to Africa. Thank-you