AAU recognises cricket as a sport
The United States of America Cricket Association has once again demonstrated its commitment to developing Cricket, by forming a partnership with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).
The AAU is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.
The AAU is located in Orlando Florida, and joined forces with Walt Disney World. More than 40 AAU national events are conducted at the ESPN Wide World of SportsĀ® Complex. The Wide World of Sports on Disney property features a double-deck 7,500 -seat baseball stadium and baseball quadraplex, two field houses that accommodate hardwood courts, a softball quadraplex, two youth baseball fields, a track and field complex and numerous multi-purpose performance fields.
The AAU has focused its efforts into providing sports programs for participants of all ages beginning at the grass roots level. The philosophy of "Sports for All, Forever," is shared by over 600,000 athletes, volunteers and coaches. The AAU is divided into 56 distinct Districts. Together with the National Events conducted at ESPN's Wide World of Sports, these Districts annually sanction more than 35 sports programs, 1,791 National championships, and over 375,000 local, district and regional age division events.
Programs offered by the AAU include: Over 35 AAU Individual Sports Programs, The AAU Junior Olympic Games, and the Sullivan Awards for both the outstanding amateur athlete in the U.S. awarded since 1930, and a scholarship award for High School athletes. In addition, the President's Challenge program is administrated on behalf of the President's Council on Fitness, and Sports and Nutrition.
Having Cricket approved as a National sport by the AAU allows USACA youth cricketers access to National programs offered by the AAU.
USACA will now work closely with the AAU to develop programs that will benefit players, coaches and administrators across the country primarily at the youth level. As the National Governing Body of Cricket the USACA is excited about working with the AAU to develop Cricket on a national level and to introduce the sport to its members and sphere of influence in U.S. youth sports.