Emerging Cricket 365 program takes flight

A NT Cricket’s 365 program that’s helping to immerse young indigenous Territorians into the game, will be sponsored through the Airport Development group in an important partnership.

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THE indigenous Cricket arm of NT Cricket’s 365 program, helping to immerse young indigenous Territorians into the game, will be sponsored through the Airport Development group in an important partnership.

NT Cricket chief executive Joel Morrison said ADG’s sponsorship would help young Territorians engage with and learn cricket from elite and emerging Australian cricketers.

“Through the support of partners such as Airport Development Group, Cricket 365 will provide the Territory community with regular access to expert coaching, pathway opportunities to progress a career in sport and personal development opportunities through the likes of the ADG indigenous Cricket Program,” he said.

“We look to forward to working with ADG to unite and inspire our community and showcase the Territory to the rest of Australia and the world.”

Cricket players Antum Naqvi, Michael Kudra and Isaac Conway at the Darwin airport. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

Cricketer Antum Naqvi, who has played in leagues like the Caribbean Premier League, said the program would help players immerse themselves into life and the community in the Top End.

“It’s a great initiative for Darwin Cricket, especially with the blokes that come up as an alternative to going to England, where you stay in your own country,” he said.

“You’ve got great facilities and you’ve got great coaches here to help you learn and grow up here.”

As a pilot, Mr Naqvi said the partnership would help promote the program to those entering into the Territory.

“It’s a great initiative for the Airport Development Group to help us promote cricket,” he said. “365 is going to be a great tournament, we’ll have a lot of good players involved so hopefully lots of people come down to watch.”

ADG chief executive Tony Edmondstone said the partnership would help the community development aspect of the program.

“Our aim is to leverage Cricket 365 and bring the game directly to kids who may not otherwise have the opportunity to play,” he said.

“Through this joint initiative indigenous kids will have an opportunity to engage with and learn new skills from elite sports people.”

The Cricket 365 program begins on June 20.

Originally published as Emerging Cricket 365 program takes flight