By Georgie Hay, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Carioca Cricket Club (CCC) in Rio de Janeiro, will be hosting their second intra-club match on Saturday, March 19th at the São Fernando Polo & Cricket Club near Itaguaí. The match is open to anyone who wants to play, as well as friends, family and children looking to spend the day out of the city to enjoy watching sport, eating delicious food and making the most of the facilities at the ground.
“Set in the region of Rio with the lowest annual rainfall,” says CCC President Craig Allison, “have a dip in our refreshing swimming pool, clasping an ice-cold beer. Watch your children run around, free as bunny rabbits. Bring your tennis racquets for a civilized knock-about on our newly-laid court. Bring your friends. Everyone is welcome.”
This season, along with the new tennis facilities, Allison announced that the CCC has launched a new catering service to keep players and non-players well fed all day, “offering delicious wraps for breakfast” and “a well-stocked bar open all day to keep you and your family hydrated.”
Allison continues, “after the cricket, there is our legendary gaúcho churrasco which you would not imagine was possible to organize in the middle of nowhere. Giant succulent beef ribs slowly barbecued over an open fire. Sizzling sausages and golden-brown chicken breasts. A range of crispy salads, and various vegetarian quiches and pies, and freshly-cut fruits. You will not leave hungry!”
“All you need to bring is swimmers, tennis kit if you want to play, suntan lotion, repellant (there are no mosquitoes, only flies) and some cash for your lunch (R$35 per head, children free) and your drinks (beers and soft drinks R$4, water R$3).”
The matches are open to players at any level, however Allison recommends that “non-cricketers come to one of our down-town training sessions or practice in our training net at SFP&CC before venturing into a full-blown match.”
“Having said that, we have had plenty of novices play at our matches… In the last match, we had two first-time lady cricketers (both good sportswomen) who both excelled. At the end of the day, we are there for a good game of competitive cricket, but, more importantly, to laugh. One of the players at our last match had not played for fifty years and was awarded Man-of-the-Match.”
All are welcome on March 19th, club members or not, Allison explains, “we organize free transport (there and back) in a luxury coach (with reclining seats for those who went out on Friday night) and serve on-board drinks and snacks, and even have on-board toilets. The bus leaves at 8AM sharp but will get you back into town by 7PM, ready for a night in Lapa.”
For more information on the CCC and the March 19th event, visit the club’s Facebook page.
* This is a Sponsored article for the Carioca Cricket Club.