Item - 2024.TS3.5

The City-School Boards Advisory Committee:

1.  Referred the item to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and requested them to continue the engagement of school boards on this item.

Cricket has been a popular sport in many countries. There are 27 cricket pitches in the City of Toronto. Cricket is popular in Toronto and is one of the fastest growing sports.

As part of the 20-year Facilities Master Plan (FMP), City staff reviewed Toronto’s existing cricket facilities to determine if improvements and/or new facilities are required to keep up with demand. Cricket Strategy.

The review recommended the following action:

• Create up to five new cricket pitches.

◦ new pitches will be regulation size and may be shared with other recreational activities; and

◦ accommodating new pitches may require the City to explore opportunities for land use partnerships, acquiring new land and or redesigning existing parks

Partnerships with School Boards

There are opportunities for partnerships with school boards for new cricket facilities.

Schools can transform the game of cricket for generations to come.

Gender Equity

Fostering gender equality in sport is about creating equal opportunities. The City of Toronto and school boards seek to generate a positive environment for the participation of girls, women, and gender diverse people.

62 percent of Canadian girls do not participate in any kind of sport.

There is a lack of playing fields in schools and city facilities making it more difficult for girls, women, and gender diverse people to engage in sports like cricket.

Women’s cricket has gained popularity. Regardless of growing popularity, women's cricket still faces challenges.

The fight against ingrained sexism in cricket remains a daunting obstacle. Gender stereotypes and biases continue to undermine the achievements of female cricketers, marginalizing their contributions and questioning their place in a sport that has long
been dominated by men.

Despite significant strides in recent years, women’s cricket often finds itself in the shadow of the men’s game.

By creating more opportunities, eliminating gender bias and creating role models, cricket can be promoted so it can thrive thereby helping to create a more equitable and sustainable future
for the sport.

Lack of Facilities

There is a lack of adequate playing facilities in schools and city facilities.

Major conditions plaguing public schools is lack of school facility space. Facilities in desperate need of long overdue maintenance and renovation are primary reasons for the need for partnerships and innovative solutions.

Single Gender High School

Madonna Catholic Secondary School is one of six single gender high schools for female students in the City of Toronto. It is located on the north side of Wilson Avenue, east of Keene Street. It is abutted by a cemetery, shopping plaza and TCDSB’s Downsview Secondary School.

Discussions to engage the school community are underway. Initial conversations have been held with the local Councillor, James Pasternak, school Superintendent, TCDSB facility staff
and some members of the community.

Should the exploration and discussions yield a plan, then the provincial and federal governments would be requested to fund the project.

Unlocking Opportunity 

In an age where technology and screens dominate youth, the significance of providing sporting facilities in schools cannot be emphasized enough.

Collaboration between the city and school community will most certainly reduce gender bias, create role models and break barriers for girls, women, and gender diverse people.

The Government of Canada adopted an action plan action plan for Reducing Poverty and Improving Health and Well-Being:

Moving towards an inclusive sport system by setting a target to achieve gender parity in sport by 2035.

Building a cricket pitch at a single gender school in Toronto will reduce the existing hurdles and roadblocks for women in cricket and sport. 

The need for cricket pitches in deprived areas in the city or where facilities are currently unavailable will be addressed with the discussions between city and school board officials.

Students would use the pitch during the day and the facility can be available to cricket users outside of school hours. This will create a vibrant hub for both students and the local community.

Moreover, the opportunity to integrate school developments into wider social and community regeneration projects benefit students, community members, and cricketers alike.