Staten Island Cricket Club facts for kids

The Staten Island Cricket Club (SICC) is a very old and famous cricket club. It is located on Staten Island, New York. The club started way back on March 22, 1872. It was first known as the Staten Island Cricket and Base Ball Club. This club was also the very first place in the United States to have a tennis court!

Club History and Milestones

The Staten Island Cricket Club has a long and interesting past.

Early Days and New Sports

The club first played cricket in an area called St. George. This was from 1866 to 1886. The club says it is the oldest cricket club in the U.S. that has been playing non-stop since it started.

In 1874, a woman named Mary Outerbridge brought the game of tennis to the club. She helped set up a tennis court. Just a few years later, on September 1, 1880, the very first national tennis tournament in America was held right here!

Moving to a New Home

The club had to move from its first location. This was because of new building projects in the area. So, the club moved to a new spot in the Livingston neighborhood. This new home was about 1.8 miles (2.9 km) from their old field.

Changes Over Time

The club's name changed a few times. In 1906, it became the Staten Island Cricket and Tennis Club. Then, in 1931, it changed back to the Staten Island Cricket Club.

The land where the club plays was sold in 1925. It was bought by the Staten Island Academy. Later, in 1930, the City of New York bought the land. The park was first called Livingston Park. But it was later renamed Walker Park. This was to honor Randolph St. George Walker Jr., who died in World War I. His father was an important member of the club.

In 1932, the club's main building burned down. Many old records were lost. A new clubhouse was built in 1934. It is a beautiful brick building that looks like a Tudor-style house. It is still used today!

Famous Players and Movies

Many famous cricketers have visited and played at the SICC. These include England captain Pelham Warner, Gilbert Jessop, Donald Bradman, Everton Weekes, and Garry Sobers. Some stories also say that W. G. Grace, Colin Blythe, and K. S. Ranjitsinhji played there too.

The club even appeared in a movie! Scenes of a cricket match at the SICC can be seen in the silent film Raffles the Amateur Cracksman from 1917. This movie starred the famous actor John Barrymore.

Walker Park Today

Walker Park is a busy place with many sports areas.

Sports Facilities

The main part of Walker Park is the SICC cricket field. It has a cricket pitch right in the middle. But the park also has other sports courts:

• Six asphalt tennis courts
• A little league baseball field
• Two basketball courts
• A children's playground

The Staten Island Cricket Club uses the old 1934 clubhouse. It is located at 50 Bard Avenue.

Club Motto and Popular Culture

The club's Latin motto is Lude Ludum Insignia Secundaria. This means "Winning the game is a secondary concern. Playing the game is a primary reward." It reminds everyone that having fun and playing the game is more important than just winning.

The club was also featured in a book! It appeared in the novel Netherland by Joseph O'Neill. The story is about a banker who starts playing cricket at the Staten Island club after the events of September 11, 2001.

See also

• St. George Cricket Grounds was a later cricket, baseball, and lacrosse venue built at or near the club's original St. George location and used in the 1880s.
• Richmond County Bank Ballpark is a baseball and cricket ground that opened in 2001 built at or near the SICC's original St. George location.