History

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BSK was extremely pleased to host Australian teams in this tournament and was delighted to celebrate cricket with the Aussies.

Within a year BSK grew in great heights and successfully organized a T-20 cricket tournament, 1st annual BSK cup, 2013 (15th Sep-27th Oct). The tournament consisted of 24 teams from 3 different nationalities (India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka). This tournament was well received by the locals, community members, leaders and government bodies. The grand finals held at C.J Greenfield on 27th Oct, 2013 were a gala event, with food, music and some thrilling cricket. At the presentation ceremony, the Honorary Indian High Commissioner Mrs Archana Singh particularly mentioned that BSK has done an extraordinary job in bringing the community together through cricket.

Following the first T-20 tournament, BSK continued to gain support and love from the community leaders and government bodies. BSK moved forward to host its 2nd annual BSK cup, 2014 (6th Sep-5th Oct). In 2014, 32 teams (around 400 cricketers) from 5 different nationalities (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia and Bangladesh) participated, making this event, the largest multicultural community sporting event in Brisbane. India and Australia share a common passion for cricket and this was rightly mentioned by the Indian PM Mr.Modi at the Australian Parliament, “India and Australia celebrate the legend of Bradman and the class of Tendulkar.” Following this note, BSK was extremely pleased to host Australian teams in this tournament and was delighted to celebrate cricket with the Aussies.

After tasting success in Brisbane, BSK then aimed at bring the community of Ipswich and Brisbane together and organized a T-20 tournament with the theme of “harmony” (BSK Ipswich Harmony T20 Tournament. The theme of the tournament (harmony) received very positive responses from local people at Ipswich and Brisbane. The organization and the management of the tournament went so professionally and BSK followed it up with BSK Ipswich Harmony T20-Kids Tournament.

In 2015, BSK organized four more tournaments (3rd Annual BSK CUP, BSK Super 6’s Tournament, South East QLDS Community Cricket Cup 2015, Welcome Fest 2015 Cup) involving more than 500 players. In 2016, BSK has so far conducted two tournaments (Global Games 2016 Cup, 4th Annual BSK CUP 2016). Every year, cricketers in Queensland look forward the annual BSK cup and participate with immense passion and love for the game. So far BSK has organized 12 tournaments and succeeded in bring people from different ethnic backgrounds together to celebrate cricket.

The Story of Refugee CricketIn Queensland

Cricket has been a massive platform for these boys to express themselves, showcase their talent and above all attain immense pleasure.

Cricket, is a sport played with immense passion in Sri Lanka. Growing up in Sri Lanka, young boys are naturally drawn towards cricket and they start looking up to cricketing legends like Sangakara.

Following the civil war in Sri Lanka, the situation in country deteriorated for people of tamil origin. Hence people were ready to move to any country to get out Sri Lanka. Despite the dangerous journey via sea, many refugees opted to move to Australia. “We have travelled days together without food, without knowing if we are going to make it to our destination. Australia is the first country that has treated me like a human being,” claims a young cricketer among thousands refugees in Queensland.

Cricket has been a massive platform for these boys to express themselves, showcase their talent and above all attain immense pleasure. These boys have desire to get educated, build a family and lead a peaceful life in this foreign land. Some of them even dream to play cricket for Australia. “I see that Australia’s weakness in cricket is spin. Coming from Sri Lanka I play spin well and I can spin the ball very well. When I grow up, I will definitely play for Australia and I will cover that weakness,” claimed Kandy, a young spinner

Brisbane Super Kings, a South Brisbane cricket club has succeeded in giving these young men a chance to play cricket. The club has so far organized 12 T-20 tournaments in 4 years. In 2014, a total of 32 teams (around 400 cricketers) from 5 different nationalities (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia and Bangladesh) participated in the 2nd annual BSK cup, making it, the largest multicultural community sporting event in Brisbane. “Cricket means a lot to us. We all get to meet and have fun once every week through cricket and we would like to thank BSK for facilitating this” says Parthy.

“The current Australian captain Smith is my favorite cricketer after Sangakara. I am a right hand batsman, so it is difficult to bat like Sanga, hence I try to play like Smith. “ says Ruban.

BSK hopes that it can build a platform for these young boys to develop cricketing skills which might come in handy when these boys go and play for Australia. We hope that we can attract more sponsors in the coming years and give these boys good facilities and good cricketing gears to enhance their skill.”-Balaji, BSK Secretary. Balaji added that “The club has seen several physically challenged (because of the war) people determined to play cricket. That is how much these guys love their cricket. And the club is very proud to put a smile on their faces every week. We also have a lot of Indian student community participating in our tournaments. The students say that cricket every week is a chance to socialize and meet new people.”

“From an administration point of view, organizing back to back tournament has always been a big challenge for BSK. Although BSK is very high profile club, we are still small nonprofit cricket organizers. BSK has been fortunate to have sponsorship from Indian community in Brisbane, however we are not massively resourced. As with any cricket club, funds have been a big bottle neck for the club time and again. Despite these challenges, BSK is committed to meeting the expectations of the cricketing community and committed to organizing cricket tournaments to bring people together.” Says Sathish, BSK president