The Australian Government, in partnership with Cricket Australia (CA) and PacificAus Sports (facilitates pathways for Pacific teams to play in high-level Australian sporting competitions), have launched the Australia-Pacific Cricket Linkages program, which will see Cricket Boards of Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu gain access to matches/competitions in Australia and via tours by Australian teams. Government of Australia have always been proactive in providing support and have previously partnered with CA, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and International Cricket Council (ICC) to develop community cricket facilities in Papua New Guinea.
As per the new program, Papua New Guinea’s National Women’s and Men’s squads will have the opportunity to play in several Australian competitions, including the Top End T20 (where PNG team have participated recently against teams from BBL franchises from Melbourne, Northern Territories and CA select XI), and allow PNG’s Women’s players to play in the Australian Country Cricket Championships (participated in 2022 as PNG National squad and as part of ICC EAP title winning squad in 2020 and before that) and community competitions, along with participation in several coaching, training and development initiatives.
Australian National Men’s and Women’s Indigenous cricket teams will tour Vanuatu to play Vanuatu’s National sides and undertake community engagement activities as part of the program.
Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for International Development and the Pacific said “People across Australia and the Pacific share a deep passion for sport, and programs like this bring people closer together. This exciting new partnership with Cricket Australia invests in the sporting ambitions of Pacific athletes and demonstrates our commitment to advancing gender equality, with women and girls at the center. The partnership will also deepen connections between First Nations Australians and the Pacific family. We look forward to sustaining our friendships on and off the sporting field.”
