The city of Mission Viejo denied the National Women’s Cricket League a home at the site of the World Cup Soccer Fields and Potocki Center for the Arts.

FairBreak Global, an Australian-based women’s cricket league, reached out a few months ago to assess Mission Viejo’s interest in establishing itself as a U.S. national cricket center, said city attorney William P. Curley during a recent City Council meeting. The league wanted to establish a new cricket field, training resources, competition-level lock rooms, viewing stands and other related facilities.

After its own inspection of fields in Mission Viejo, FairBreak Global chose the World Cup Soccer Fields and Potocki Center for the Arts as its ideal location.

Although many council members liked the idea of a new sports league in the city, the main question was what would happen to the World Cup Soccer Fields and Potocki Center for the Arts — both of which already see heavy traffic, according to Mark Nix, director of recreation and community services.

“We have a finite amount of space,” said Councilmember Bob Ruesch. “I just don’t see us being able to accommodate this project.”

Mayor Pro Tem Trish Kelley expressed how the sport of cricket would be great for the city, but she doesn’t see Mission Viejo being able to find adequate space for the organization.

A majority of people who spoke during the Aug. 22 City Council meeting’s public comment time expressed concerns about what a new cricket league could mean for the soccer fields and art center.

Another area of concern was the financial impact of the addition of this league. Curley said the league would not be funded in any capacity by the city. But Shaun Martyn, FairBreak Global’s founder, said the organization planned to ask the city for help with funds; the amount would be determined after the initial request was approved, he said.

“I got the impression after reading through the report that FairBreak would expect us to foot the bill while also displacing a lot of other organizations who have already been using our space for many years,” said Councilmember Cynthia Vasquez. “It does not seem equitable.”

The potential for adding this league to the city was in very early stages, and a lot would need to be done in order to get final approval from the city, said Curley.

Ultimately, the City Council decided not to move forward with FairBreak Global, voting 4-0 against the item with Mayor Brian Goodell abstaining because he had been in contact with the organization previously.

This is not the first time a cricket league has tried to make Southern California its home.

Earlier this year, American Cricket Enterprises expressed interest in hosting a Major League Cricket team at the Great Park in Irvine. In May, the Irvine City Council approved an exclusive negotiating agreement with the MLC with hopes to build eventually a 15-acre venue for the sport.

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