WLV Sport, the University of Wolverhampton’s sports service, and Walsall for All, will come together for an interfaith cricket match at Walsall Cricket Club on Thursday 23rd September for the first time in two years.
The match will provide an opportunity for both organisations to resume their partnership since the outbreak of COVID-19 and Walsall for All will be looking to avenge their closely contested defeat in the inaugural match which took place in 2019.
Intended as an annual event to celebrate and promote diversity and cohesion in the borough, the 20-over match was conceived as a fun way of networking and making new friends across cultural and religious boundaries. The University’s side saw staff and students both current and former join forces, whilst the Walsall for All team included members from various, local religious groups.
Pete Connelly, Commercial Manager at WLV Sport said: “We are delighted to be working with Walsall for All again. Last year, we were not able to organise our second match because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, we have an opportunity to pick up where we left off and build positive relations between our staff, students and alumni and the wider Walsall community.”
Mohammed Arif, interim chair of the Union of Muslim Organisations (UMO) said: “As Captain of the Walsall for All team, we look forward to playing against the University of Wolverhampton’s sports team this September. We value the importance of bringing communities together from different backgrounds and events like the interfaith cricket match are integral in building an integrated Walsall.”
Everyone is warmly welcome to watch the Interfaith Cricket Match on Thursday 23rd September at Walsall Cricket Club, Gorway Road, Walsall, WS1 3BE, starting at 2pm. Entry is free.
For more information, email walsallforall@walsall.gov.uk