By Jay Forte, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Carioca Cricket Club’s (CCC) activities are in full force as the club recently returned from the first leg of the national tournament in Brasília, and already has held another inter-club match last weekend. Coming up next is another Quiz Night social event in August, and then a grudge-match against rivals São Paulo on September 5th, all leading up to hosting the final leg of the Nationals in late October.
The CCC was founded in Rio de Janeiro just in 2011, but already has an enthusiastic, good-sported membership and fan base. The next Quiz Night will be a repeat of the successful June even.
As club president Craig Allison explained, “The Quiz Night […] is another CCC social event to bring members together in a relaxed environment, testing their general knowledge in a competitive format, with beer, caipiroskas and nachos supplied by our gracious hosts at Lord Jim. CCC members, friends, family and others are welcome.”
The upcoming match against São Paulo on September 5th will be hosted at the São Fernando Polo & Cricket Club near Itaguaí. Tobias Hanbury, current club chairman describes how to get there: “São Fernando P&CC is located about seventy minutes drive by bus from Ipanema, and the CCC arranges transport free-of-charge for everyone who wants to go […] The bus leaves Praça General Osorio at 9AM and returns to Rio de Janeiro at 5PM.”
Now that the first leg of the Nationals are over, the CCC and their fans expect are gearing up for the final leg in October. As Hanbury shares, “The CCC is delighted to host the second round of the 2015 National Championships in Rio de Janeiro later this year. A fun-filled festival of cricket is planned for the weekend of October 31st and November 1st 2015, with teams from five States competing to win the coveted title of National Champions of Brazil.”
Hanbury admits, “After the first round in Brasília, the home team’s chances of regaining the title look slim, but this lack of pressure will allow the CCC to concentrate on what we do best: putting on a great party, with a bit of cricket thrown in.”
The planning has already taken shape and Hanbury reveals, “Current plans for Saturday, October 31st include the famous gaúcho churrasco, with beef ribs barbecued over an open fire, plenty of beer and soft drinks, a live band and DJ, a bonfire to roast your chestnuts and maybe even some fireworks to celebrate Halloween.”
For those wanting to stay overnight, there are several local hotels, and camping will be available for outward-bound types. Friends and family are always welcome at the CCC events and the São Fernando Polo & Cricket Club offers a swimming pool to cool everyone down, and maybe a tennis court will be prepared in time.
Another highlight to the season is a new partnership with the Mayor of Seropédica who has embraced the sport and the tournament being held there. Hanbury told The Rio Times how it came about, “The Mayor of Seropédica, A.F. Martinazzo, heard about the CCC through the owner of the Sao Fernando Polo & Cricket Club, Abel Rocha.”
Adding, “On a recent visit to the watch a CCC match, Mayor Martinazzo offered the resources of the Prefeitura to help expand the game of cricket to children from local schools. Plans are being discussed to bring these children to play and watch cricket, and the Mayor has generously offered to help with organization and logistics.”
* This is a Sponsored article for the Carioca Cricket Club.