Cricket in the Community was amongst a clutch of organisations providing support for Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club’s Diversity Day, staged at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
Members of the Essex Cricket in the Community headed down to East London to bring a taste of cricket to the enthusiastic Daggers supporters.
The popular event, tied in with the Daggers’ Vanarama National League clash with FC Halifax Town, drew a bumper crowd. Indeed, the matchday attendance, numbering 2,460 was considerably up compared to the season’s average with many arriving early to be a part of the celebrations.
Essex Cricket in the Community Lead Coach, Kanan Thiyarajah explained: “It was fantastic to support Daggers Diversity Day.
“I coach for both Essex Cricket in the Community and locally with Barking Cricket Club. Along with my colleagues our Ability team and the community we were able to provide information on how to get into cricket and any physical activity regardless of age, gender, race or religion.”
Police Community Support Officer, John Joseph BEM, the Met Police Premier League Kicks Liaison Officer, was also enthusiastic over the even, which has now run in one form or another for more than a decade: “It was an absolute pleasure for the Met’s Crime Prevention, Inclusion and Engagement team to come together with the local Neighbourhood and Taskforce teams, to celebrate Daggers Diversity Day,” he said.
“The event gave us yet another great opportunity to engage with the public and provide useful crime prevention advice, all part of our efforts to help reduce crime across London.”
As for the match itself, Dagenham found themselves on the wrong end of the result as promotion rivals, Halifax won by three goals to one: “It was fantastic to see so many smiling faces at the match,” Joseph added.
“What a fantastic turnout reflecting the very diverse neighbourhood we all live in, coming together to support the Daggers and have fun. People, young and old from all backgrounds, from all walks of life, together enjoying the pre-match activities including the Metropolitan Police, Essex Cricket in the Community, the Barking and Dagenham Progress Project to name just three of the organisations present on the day. It was just a shame about the result.”
Photos: courtesy of Dagenham & Redbridge Supporter’s Trust
