Australia will continue to support Pacific cricket through the Australian Government’s successful Pacific Sports Partnership program.
Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Steve Ciobo announced support for the programme.
The Australian Government is providing $780,000 to Cricket Australia over the next two years, in partnership with the International Cricket Council, to support community programs that address health, gender equality and disability challenges in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Samoa and Fiji.
Of this, $240,000 will be provided to Cricket PNG to support its BSP School Kriket program, which last year saw more than 170,000 children introduced to cricket across 10 provinces in PNG.
Through the Pacific Sports Partnership program Cricket PNG will also continue its successful Kriket Bilong Olgeta Program.
The program provides women, girls and people with a disability an opportunity to play cricket. This is helping to teach respect and reduce violence against women and girls.
The Pacific Sports Partnership program is Australia’s premier sport for development initiative in the Pacific. The $29 million program supports activities to encourage healthy lifestyles and healthy relationships in the Pacific.