Cricket for Integration – Development of Practice Nets at Embrach Cricket Ground

The goal of the project is to establish a dedicated cricket training facility at Embrach Cricket Ground that supports the development, well-being, and integration of young people below the age of 19, particularly Afghan refugees. By providing structured practice nets, coaching, and safe spaces for sport, the project aims to help youth overcome trauma and hardship, build confidence, develop teamwork and discipline, and foster social cohesion through inclusive cricket activities. Ultimately, the project seeks to use cricket as a tool for integration, creating opportunities for cultural exchange, personal growth, and a sense of belonging within the Swiss community.

Young refugees, particularly from Afghanistan (16-19 years), face significant trauma, social isolation, and barriers to integration in Switzerland. Many lack access to structured sports facilities where they can safely develop skills, build confidence, and connect with peers. Without supportive spaces, these youth risk social exclusion, limited opportunities for personal growth, and difficulties adapting to a new society. The challenge is to provide a safe, inclusive, and structured environment where young people can overcome hardship, engage positively, and integrate into the wider community while pursuing their passion for cricket.

There is a clear need to create safe, accessible, and structured cricket facilities for young people, especially Afghan refugees, to address the social, emotional, and developmental challenges they face. Without such spaces, these youth risk continued isolation, trauma, and missed opportunities for personal growth and integration. Establishing a dedicated training facility at Embrach Cricket Ground will provide coaching, mentorship, and inclusive opportunities, allowing young people to heal through sport, develop life skills, and build connections with the local community. Immediate action is required to transform cricket into a practical tool for social integration and youth empowerment in Switzerland.

To achieve the project goal and address the challenges faced by young refugees, the following concrete measures will be implemented: Construction of Training Facilities: Build practice nets and install a turf or hybrid pitch at Embrach Cricket Ground. Create indoor training spaces for year-round coaching and skill development. Structured Coaching Programs: Organize regular cricket coaching sessions for youth below 19 years, focusing on skill development, fitness, and teamwork. Provide mentorship and life-skills workshops to support personal growth, confidence, and resilience. Inclusive Participation and Integration: Open the facility to all young people, encouraging interaction between refugees and local Swiss youth. Promote teamwork and social cohesion through mixed training sessions, tournaments, and friendly matches. Community Engagement and Support: Collaborate with Cricket Switzerland, local clubs, and refugee support organizations

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The Embrach Cricket Academy project will have a transformative impact on both individual participants and the wider community. For young refugees and other youth below 19 years, the facility will provide a safe and structured environment to develop cricket skills, build confidence, and recover from trauma and hardship. Regular participation in coaching and team activities will foster discipline, resilience, and emotional well-being, while promoting social interaction and cultural exchange between refugee and local youth. At the community level, the project will strengthen social cohesion by bringing diverse groups together through sport, encouraging understanding, respect, and inclusion. The academy will also create pathways for personal and sporting growth, enabling talented youth to progress to club-level cricket or leadership roles in the sport.

The Embrach Cricket Academy Project is unique in combining cricket development with social integration, using sport to help young people, especially Afghan refugees, overcome trauma, build confidence, and foster inclusion. By allowing refugees and local youth to train together, it promotes community cohesion and cultural exchange. The academy’s founders have proven experience in youth cricket, coaching, and refugee support, and have been recognized in national media for their work. Supported by Cricket Switzerland, the organization has the expertise, networks, and capacity to deliver structured training, manage facilities, and ensure the project achieves both athletic and social development goals.