Humber North Campus Recreation (HNCR) hosted a session for women interested in playing cricket on Wednesday. It also fostered community engagement and promoted diversity and inclusion.
The event featured a great turnout of players, spectators, and organizers.
HNCR Event Coordinator and Men’s Cricket Team Captain Shreshth Nirmohi said the event promoted cricket and also strived to make international students feel at home.
“I think it’s different for international students to just observe everything and get involved in the atmosphere,” he said.
“Whenever you come to the country, you will look for people or you look for some activity where you can connect with the old people,” Nirmohi said.
He said the event catalyzed female participation in cricket, along with other sports.
HNCR event coordinators and organizers said the response surpassed their expectations, with a considerable amount of participants expressing further interest.
HNCR Event Coordinator and Humber Varsity badminton player Zeel Rohit said many of the women expressed their desire to join the HNCR’s weekly drop-in sports sessions and explore opportunities for ongoing involvement.
“They were asking about the drop-in programs, to include cricket as a drop-in sport and to organize any tournaments in future,” Rohit said.
She said plans are already underway to expand the initiative, with the possibility of hosting more intramural tournaments and even starting an official women’s cricket team someday.
HNCR coordinators highlighted the unique nature of the event, reflecting on some of the challenges they encountered when organizing it.
The coordinators said they faced challenges targeting a specific group of international students.
However, the great turnout on Wednesday highlighted the success of the initiative, the organizers said.
“We got [a] really good response, and like 30 participants, and they want to play more, so whenever they go back to their friends, they want them to play as well,” Rohit said.
Shreshth Nirmohi (left) and Zeel Rohit (right) were the varsity instructors for the women's cricket event.
The event showcased the growing interest in women’s sports while also underscoring Humber’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity.
For many, the event marked the beginning of their journey towards active community engagement and personal growth.
HNCR said they remain committed to cultivating an inclusive environment, where individuals of all backgrounds feel empowered to pursue their athletic aspirations.
Rohit said with the momentum gained from the event, HNCR looks forward to continuing its efforts in promoting women’s sports and creating a welcoming environment for all members of different communities.