SCHENECTADY, NY (August 28, 2024) – NY Ovals and Discover Schenectady are excited to announce that the USA Cricket U19 (under 19) National East Conference Championship games will be played at the NY Ovals Cricket Facility in Glenville starting this Friday, August 30 until Monday, September 2.
Eight teams from states throughout the entire east coast, including top players from the USA Cricket U19 National teams, will square off on the NY Ovals fields at 4281 Amsterdam Road, Glenville, NY. Admission is free for all spectators.
“We’re thrilled that the U19 National East Conference Championship games are going to be played right here at NY Ovals in Glenville,” said NY Ovals Co-Owner and USA Cricket East Zone Women’s and Girls teams Head Coach, Ashok Adikoppula. “We invite Cricket fans from the Capital Region and beyond to join us this weekend as well as soon to be fans who have never seen a cricket match before. This is a great opportunity to see some of the top young players in the country compete on our cricket ovals in Schenectady County.”
The Schenectady County Legislature contributed funding to build the new cricket facility in Glenville as part of a broader initiative to increase sports tourism, fill hotel rooms, generate new revenue and jobs, and boost local businesses. The Legislature has also provided support for the construction of the Mohawk Harbor Events Center, pledged support for the SUNY Schenectady Aquatics Center in downtown Schenectady and funded ongoing upgrades to the Schenectady County Recreational Facility ice rink, further enhancing our community’s appeal as a sports destination.
“We’re excited to host the largest cricket tournament in Upstate New York this Labor Day weekend,” said Schenectady County Legislator Cathy Gatta, President of the Discover Schenectady Board of Directors. “The NY Ovals have quickly become a magnet for fans and families across the Northeast, and hosting large tournaments, along with the rising popularity of cricket, is exactly what the County Legislature envisioned when we invested in this complex. We’re proud to see this taking place right here in our community and look forward to its continued success.”
The owners of NY Ovals plan to construct additional facilities at the site on Route 5 include a training facility and clubhouse along with seating for 1,200 fans next year making it suitable to host event larger tournament and cricket events as the sport continues to add fans.
“Schenectady County is fast becoming a hub for youth sports, and this is driving new tourism spending, increased demand for hotel rooms and more business for our community,” said Todd Garofano, Executive Director of Discover Schenectady.
“Cricket has such a loyal fan base and with this new facility we are in a great position to land major events in this fast-growing sport with a 1,200-seat facility on the shores of the Mohawk River close to nearby hotels, restaurants, breweries, and other supporting venues.”
In June, for the first time, the United States co-hosted the International Cricket Council’s Men’s World Cup. The US Men’s team performed well in their first ever entry into the Cup and made the playoffs.
NY Ovals is fast becoming a national destination for competitive cricket games. Later in September the facility will play host to Minor League Cricket games that will include US Men’s National team players who took part in the World Cup.
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About Discover Schenectady:
Discover Schenectady is a non-profit organization responsible for promoting travel, tourism, conference and convention assets and opportunities throughout Schenectady County. Discover Schenectady inspires visitors to experience and enjoy that Schenectady County has to offer, from its vibrant communities with dining, entertainment and shopping to its gorgeous waterfront and outdoor activities. For more ways to Discover Schenectady County all year long, visit www.discoverschenectady.com.