History
The Story of Joyces Cricket Club
A Dream Born from Struggle, Faith, and Second Chances
Joyces Cricket Club was not created in comfort. It was created from sacrifice. From heartbreak. From courage. From a dream that refused to die.
For Edwin Joy, cricket was never just a sport. It was identity. It was purpose. It was life. In India, he spent seven years as a cricket trainer, working with different clubs, developing young players, and dedicating himself to the game he loved. Coaching became his responsibility, his survival, and his financial support — even when it meant putting aside his own dreams as a professional cricketer. He gave everything to cricket.
But life had other plans. After completing his Bachelor’s degree, Edwin made a silent and brave decision — to leave India and start over in Europe. He didn’t announce it. He didn’t overthink it. He simply believed he needed change. An education consultant presented him with three options: Czech Republic, Slovenia, or Slovakia. Without knowing anything about the country — without research, without preparation — he chose Slovakia
When he arrived in October 2022, reality struck hard. There was no cricket culture. No established system. No clear path. For someone who lived and breathed cricket, it felt like losing oxygen. Life became heavy. Personal struggles. Relationship heartbreak. Isolation in a new country. Disappointment in performance on the field. For two years, he struggled to perform for his team, even though he was playing for Cobra Cricket Club in Hungary, a team that welcomed him with open arms. Internally, he was fighting battles no one could see. There were nights without sleep. Moments of loneliness. Moments of deep depression. Moments where giving up felt easier than continuing.
But even in the darkest places, something inside him refused to disappear completely. In the middle of chaos, one person entered his life with unexpected strength – Sona Galadova. Her support was not just encouragement. It was protection. It was guidance. It was care. When life felt broken, she stood firm. When everything felt uncertain, she believed. She did not just support a dream – she helped rebuild a human being.
With her presence, stability returned. With her belief, hope returned. With her strength, the dream of cricket in Slovakia returned.
In 2025, Edwin made a decision: No more running from pain. No more losing himself. He rebuilt discipline. He rebuilt health. He rebuilt focus. That season became his best season with Cobra Cricket Club. The team that stood by him during his worst years celebrated with him during his strongest year. They won the 2025 Championship. It was not just a trophy. It was redemption. Even when he first arrived in Slovakia, Edwin had one quiet dream: “To introduce cricket here.” At first, it seemed impossible. No system. No network. No direction. But dreams that survive pain become powerful.
On March 3rd, 2026, that dream became reality. Not just an introduction class. Not just an event. But the official launch of Joyces Cricket Club — founded by Edwin Joy and led together with President Sona Galadova. Joyces Cricket Club is not just about cricket. It represents second chances, strength after breakdown, belief when nothing makes sense, support that saves lives, and courage to start from zero. It is proof that even when you feel lost in a foreign country… even when life feels broken… even when you almost give up… you can rebuild. You can rise. You can create something meaningful. Joyces Cricket Club was born from pain — but it stands for hope. And this is only the beginning.
EDWIN JOY FOUNDER OF JOYCES CRICKET CLUB BRATISLAVA