The club chairman, Mr. Alan Mossman, said, “We want cricket to be a means of linking our fellow-countrymen and encouraging English expatriates to play our traditional sport. We also want to popularize it to other communities, including Ho Chi Minh City dwellers.”

“At the same time, we call for contributions from the club members, so that we can do some charity work in HCMC, as a way to express our honor and gratitude to the country we are living in.”

All the members strongly support the club's community policies.

The ECCS has grown quite big since it started in 2006.

It celebrated its first anniversary last month with a ceremony and officially made itself known to the public.

On the occasion, the club donated VND10 million to the Wildlife At Risk (WAR) in HCMC.

ECCS members play social cricket at least once a month at the RMIT – 702 Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard, Tan Phong Ward, District 7, HCMC.

Math teacher, Ben Tumer, said, “Cricket players hit the ball very hard and run very fast to catch the ball. This sport helps us to develop strong arms, tough legs and a quick mind. It can really be helpful for office workers like us.”

To make it more interesting, the club leaders have formed the Saigon Cricket League with six participating teams.

As a result of the competition, the players practiced more and they already appear more professional after one year of being together.

Winning is not everything for the club. What is more important is forming connections in the British expatriate community in HCMC.

There are business people, teachers and NGO workers.

As the members come from diverse back-grounds, the games give them a chance to sit, talk about the game, share information and talk about their experiences in Vietnam.

The club does not just cater for men. The players take their girlfriends, wives and children to the ground to watch the game.

The children can play and there are always different kinds of food to enjoy.

In a way, their get-togethers are more picnics than cricket games.

Membership fees pay for the ground and other equipment, but while cricket is the main reason for the club, each member con-tributes a certain amount of money to charity.

One of the club captains, Richard Carrington, said, “The funds for charity are of course intended to help the disadvantaged. Via this activity, however, we want to arouse compassion or humane insight. We want the members to be inclined to the good.”

To extend the charity activities, the club calls for contributions from foreign individuals and businesses in HCMC.

Several companies have started long-term sponsorships for ESSC's social activities because they find them very positive for the community.

Mr. Alan Mossman said: “I believe that in the future, ECCS will not only be strong in sports activities but also in charity work with the support of our sponsors.”

ECCS warmly welcomes all those who are interested in cricket. Interested people can go to ECCS's website at www.eccsaigon.com.

Reported by That Son