By Liz Partridge
A warm spring Sunday at the end of May brought together Australian and New Zealand families for the annual AWNY Families Cricket & Picnic afternoon in Central Park.
Children raced barefoot across the grass with bats and balls in hand, enjoying friendly cricket matches. Nearby, you could hear the chatter and laughter of parents enjoying the company of new and old friends, while giggles also filled the air as kids climbed trees and chased bubbles drifting on the breeze.
Foam toy rockets were launched into the sky – one finding an unexpected home among the branches extremely high overhead. There was certainly no giving up! Varying degrees of soccer skills were on display as kids and dads took turns to dislodge the rocket by kicking up a ball, and it was Coach Rich who eventually succeeded, much to the excitement of the crowd.
The afternoon turned into evening, and no one was in a hurry to leave. As the shadows grew longer, and much needed shade surrounded us, friendships were strengthened, phone numbers were exchanged, and great memories were made.
It was a perfect celebration of spring, community, and the simple joy of spending time together in one of the world’s most iconic parks with the gorgeous backdrop of the Midtown skyline.
