NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J., September 25, 2026 — The American Cricket Council (ACC) has announced a nationwide initiative aimed at creating structured cricket programs for students in U.S. schools and colleges, including high-performance training, coaching development and scholarship opportunities.
The initiative seeks to establish a pathway for young cricketers from the grassroots level through college, drawing on organizational models used in established American high school and collegiate sports.
Former West Indies captain and Cricket Hall of Famer Shivnarine Chanderpaul will lead the initiative’s high-performance coaching program and Center for Excellence, as well as a dedicated training program for coaches.
Chanderpaul, one of the most accomplished batters in West Indies cricket history, previously served as head coach of the USA Women’s national team. He will work alongside multisport coach Jatin Patel and a team of professional coaches across North America.
As part of the initiative, ACC plans to offer high-performance training and a virtual academy providing technical guidance and mentorship to young players. Orlando, Florida, will serve as the organization’s second base for high-performance training camps supporting inter-school and college competitions.
ACC also plans to organize Inter-School and College Super Cup events and leagues, with additional details on tournament formats expected following the program’s formal launch.
“Our goal is to integrate cricket directly into the fabric of American high school and college sports culture,” Patel, chair of the initiative, said. He said the program would combine high-performance coaching, standardized educational curricula and scholarship pathways for student-athletes.
National registration for schools, colleges, cricket academies and individual student-athletes is scheduled to open Oct. 2, 2026. ACC said detailed program guidelines, tournament structures and scholarship criteria will be released following the official launch event.
The initiative is being developed in partnership with the Cricket Hall of Fame, TV Asia and ACEC, according to the announcement.
The Cricket Hall of Fame, established in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1980, recognizes players, administrators and others who have contributed to cricket in the United States and internationally. TV Asia, chaired by Dr. H.R. Shah, is a North American television network serving the South Asian community.
The announcement comes as cricket continues to expand its profile in the United States, particularly among younger players and immigrant communities. The sport is also set to return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028, adding momentum to efforts to build stronger development pathways for American players.
