A new international agreement to build the capacity of the Pacific Islands to play cricket has been signed by the Prime Minister and heads of Cricket Australia and the International Cricket Council.
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd signed the agreement at the Prime Minister’s XI cricket match in Canberra along with Chief Executive of Cricket Australia, James Sutherland and President of the International Cricket Council (ICC), David Morgan.
Program to improve sporting skills
“Sport is widely recognised as a vital tool in building stronger communities, not least through providing opportunities for youth leadership and achievement,” Mr Rudd said.
“The partnership will give players, leaders, administrators, coaches and officials opportunities to progress to levels beyond community competitions, as well as strengthening the sport at the grassroots.”
Under the program, the Government will provide up to $1.6 million and will initially focus on Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Solomon Islands.
The partnership involves the ICC’s East Asia-Pacific development program and CA, along with AusAID and the Australian Sports Commission.
It is part of the Australian Sports Outreach Program, which works in partnership with local authorities and communities in developing countries to help strengthen local communities.
At last year’s Pacific Islands Forum, Mr Rudd announced $26 million in sports-related assistance to Pacific Island countries, including $15 million over five years for sports partnerships between Australia and regional sporting federations in the Pacific.
The first Pacific Sports Partnership was signed last year with the Football Federation Australia and the Oceania Football Confederation.
Mr Rudd said other partnership agreements with netball, rugby league and rugby union were expected to be completed early this year.
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