MRCAS CRICKET ACADEMY: - Nurturing Madurai's Future Cricket Stars

MRCAS CRICKET ACADMEY

                   A Quality-Driven Cricket Academy with focus on Excellence and Integrity

 

When I first visited the MRCA Cricket Academy in Madurai, I was struck by the passion and energy that filled the grounds (I could see small kids as young as 6 filling the atmosphere with happiness and creating a  joyful commotion as i entered).Located within the Manikam Ramaswami College of Arts and Science, the academy offers a unique space where young cricket enthusiasts, many of them just starting out, can hone their skills and dream big. This isn’t a promotional piece; rather, it’s an attempt to shed light on the academy's facilities and the committed team behind it, who work tirelessly to nurture talent and provide a solid platform for aspiring cricketers.

Humble "Beginnings" of MRCAS Cricket Academy:
 Founded on June 15, 2023, MRCAS Cricket Academy is the brainchild of Mr. Kalaiselvan, the Director of MRCAS. His vision and commitment played a crucial role in bringing the academy to life. As Head Coach D. Jayashankar remarked, “It was due to the efforts of Mr. Kalaiselvan that MRCAS academy came into reality.” Starting with just one student, MRCA has grown to host over 30 young cricketers, aged 8 to 17, who come from schools across Madurai, including TAAC, TVS, and Kendriya Vidyalaya. The academy also welcomes college players, with over 15 students from MRCAS College training to bring pride to their institution. 

                                        The MRCAS college cricket team poses for a picture 

 Top-Notch Facilities for Budding Cricketers
 One of the highlights of MRCA is its thoughtfully developed infrastructure.
The academy features: 

 - Two matting pitches and two concrete pitches for varied practice environments.

 - A full-fledged   round where regular matches and tournaments take place, including age-group competitions, MDCA district league matches, and corporate tournaments.
 -The academy maintains a separate room specifically for storing players’ belongings and academy equipment—a rarity among cricket academies in Madurai. (This writer found it surprising that the room was maintained very well, very few academies have a room in first place)
 - Training and Match Exposure: - MRCA’s regular training schedule runs from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm, with a range of activities designed to develop players holistically:
 -Weekly open nets practice provides players with match-like situations.
 -Sunday fitness sessions: - to build endurance, ensuring that students not only grow their skills but also their fitness levels.
  - Regular practice matches twice a month to give students valuable on-ground experience.
  The academy has already seen some remarkable talent, with players like Johan and Vishwa   representing Madurai in under-16 and under-14 age groups. Vishal, another academy trainee, recently   showcased his all-around abilities in the zonal matches for Thiagarajar College of Arts.
 Meet the Coaches
 

                                                            D Jayashankar Head Coach 
 D. Jayashankar – Head Coach 
A left-handed batsman and right-arm off-spinner, Jayashankar has represented Tamil Nadu in under-13, under-17, and under-19 categories and has played for over half a decade in Chennai’s first division, including for Indian Bank. A familiar face in Madurai's cricketing circle , he also represented the South Zone at both the under-17 and under-19 levels and played in the prestigious Buchi Babu Tournament. Currently, he continues to play in the Madurai first division for Arasardi CC.
See
(https://cric-connect-opinions.blogspot.com/2024/10/arasaradi-cc-vs-spark-cc.html)
 Udaya – Coach 
Udaya brings over a decade of experience and has represented Madurai in various age groups. He currently plays for TVS Aparajitha Club in the Madurai second division. A dedicated coach, Udaya emphasizes the importance of discipline and values in cricket, striving to instill these qualities in young players.

                                          Victorious Academy Students with Mr Kalaislevan


 The Visionary Role of Mr. Kalaiselvan
Mr. Kalaiselvan’s visionary approach has not only given birth to the academy but has also elevated it to new heights. His dedication has earned MRCA a reputation for excellence in training and facility management. Recently this writer got to know that, he embarked on an ambitious project to construct a turf ground within the college premises, consulting with renowned curators and pitch makers from MRF, Chennai. This initiative holds great promise, as young cricketers in Madurai, who rarely have the chance to play on turf, will now have access to this invaluable experience. Mr. Guhan, a steadfast supporter of the academy, also plays a significant role. As the liaison officer at Thiagarajar School of Management, he assists with permissions for matches and official tournaments, further solidifying the academy’s standing within the cricketing community.
 Insights from the Coaches
 According to Head Coach Jayashankar, “We regularly hold open nets sessions and have Sunday fitness classes. It’s quite unique for an academy to have its own ground, and we are committed to providing match simulation drills to prepare young minds for real game scenarios. Another aspect of our academy is that we provide coaching to girls as well, as we currently have five female students who actively participate in all sessions.”
 Coach Udaya added, “It’s very important to instill values and discipline in young players from an early age. Alongside cricket training, we make a concerted effort to teach sportsmanship and integrity.”

   A match in progress

The Ground and Maintenance

 Having personally played multiple matches on MRCA’s ground, I can attest to its high-quality outfield and solid pitch conditions. Thanks to the unique soil composition, which includes natural materials from the surrounding Tirupparankundram hills, the ground has excellent drainage—no waterlogging even after heavy rain. (lot of matches take place in this ground amidst reports of Orange Alerts and heavy rains in Madurai).Groundsman Mani is a constant presence, working tirelessly to maintain the pitches and ensure the ground is in top shape.
 Parent Perspectives
 Parents have also noted the academy’s impact on their children. Vijaykandasamy, a parent of one of the trainees, shared, “MRCAS Cricket Academy is exceptional in nurturing cricket talent. Under the guidance of respected mentors and experienced coaches, the academy excels in developing players for district and state-level competitions. The emphasis on character building, alongside cricket skills, instills values of respect, discipline, and sportsmanship. My ward has been performing excellently, thanks to the academy’s comprehensive training and support.” Many parents echo similar sentiments, expressing their satisfaction with MRCA’s balance of skill development and value-based education, making it a nurturing environment for young cricketers.

                                    Coaches along with the U17 Captain Johan
 A Bright Future for MRCA Cricket Academy
 MRCAS Cricket Academy in Madurai is more than just a training ground; it’s a place where young athletes are molded into disciplined, passionate, and skilled players. Thanks to the academy’s excellent facilities, dedicated coaches, and forward-thinking leadership, it’s poised to become a beacon for cricketing talent in Madurai. With the planned turf ground and ongoing training programs, the future looks promising for MRCA and the young cricketers of Madurai.
This writer feels MRCA is a right place for young lads who dream of reaching great heights. The academy kids that this writer interacted, were filled with optimism and their eyes overflowing with passion.
This writer could sense that the kids here, not only merely play cricket but also have extensive talks about it (a 10year old boy talked about Courtney Walsh, impressive, isn't it?), it is that intrigued me a lot. This academy gives hope that Sport, especially cricket serves as a bridge between discipline and career whatsoever it might be. Emphasis towards values and discipline sets this academy apart from others.