NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
New Jersey, June 9, 2026: The USA Global Cricket Academy, a New Jersey-based nonprofit organization focused on youth cricket development, has announced a new initiative aimed at strengthening cricket coaching standards across the United States through advanced coach education programs.
The academy said it is providing support and resources to help coaches pursue advanced Level 3 and Level 4 certifications through ACF Coaches, a move designed to address growing demand for qualified cricket coaches in schools, colleges, and community programs nationwide.
Founded as the first registered 501(c)(3) cricket organization in the United States and described as the country’s longest-running youth cricket development program, the academy has played a significant role in nurturing young players for more than two decades. Its achievements include receiving the International Cricket Council’s Global Award for Best Junior Development Initiative in 2003.
The academy operates structured age-group programs for Under-15, Under-19, and Under-23 players and has organized international tours to cricket-playing nations such as India, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies. According to the organization, many participants have gone on to represent the United States at the international level, including during the inaugural ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2006.
Ashok P. Patel, founder and president of the academy and a Cricket Hall of Famer, said the organization is now focusing on creating a larger pool of professionally trained coaches capable of supporting the sport’s rapid growth in educational settings across the country. He noted that several former academy players have gone on to successful careers and are now contributing back to the program.
The advanced coaching certifications are being offered through the ACF Cricket Coaching Program, which recently marked its 12th year. The program is managed by Jatin Patel, a multi-sport coach, Cricket Hall of Famer, and recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award.
According to the academy, the new Level 3 and Level 4 Gold Certification program focuses on high-performance coaching and includes training in sports analytics, video analysis, mindfulness and mindset development, and artificial intelligence-driven coaching concepts. The curriculum has been approved by the American Cricket Education Council and endorsed by the Cricket Hall of Fame. It is also recognized nationally by United Cricket Coaches and physical education teachers.
Academy officials said more than 60 cricket academies and youth programs across the United States have benefited from ACF’s coaching and grassroots development initiatives. The organization promotes a “for the coaches, by the coaches” philosophy emphasizing peer-led learning and continuous professional development.
The announcement comes as interest in cricket continues to grow in the United States ahead of the sport’s return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028. Academy leaders also cited plans to expand scholarship opportunities for student-athletes through colleges and universities.
Jatin Patel said the new certification pathway goes beyond traditional coaching programs by incorporating performance-based earning opportunities for participating coaches, creating additional incentives for professional development while strengthening grassroots cricket infrastructure nationwide.
