Alice Springs take out the 2024 cup in dominant fashion

The 31st Imparja Cup has been slated as a major success after the Territory’s finest Indigenous cricketing stars took their talents to the pitch in Alice Springs.

2024 grand final winners celebrating after the 2024 Imparja Cup presentations. Picture: Charlie Lowson/NT Cricket.

The 31st Imparja Cup has been slated as a major success after the Territory’s finest Indigenous cricketing stars took their talents to the pitch in Alice Springs.

A precurser to the National Indigenous Cricket Championships, the five-day celebration of cricket saw players young and old represent their sides in the Twenty20 format.

Across four different divisions and 300 participants, the carnival was played in the true spirit of cricket.

NT Cricket chief executive Gavin Dovey said there had been great feedback in response to the 2024 edition of the Imparja Cup.

“In terms of an event that people enjoy, the feedback we got from people was fantastic,” Dovey said.

“It’s an incredible tournament because there’s a spirit and camaraderie among the teams that’s actually really rare.

“The spirit out there is just amazing, a lot of the participants are family or very close so it really is a worthy event as the largest Indigenous tournament in Australia.

“It’s a great story of two remote towns that started a cricket match 30-plus years ago and became the National Indigenous Championships from 2016; it’s got such a rich history.

“Alice Springs is a special place, we like to think it’s the home of Indigenous cricket, and to see mobs from the Territory come together to celebrate country and culture through cricket is great.”

In the major final of the tournament, it was the men from Alice Springs who got the chocolates after defeating Brothers in Arms in convincing fashion.

Batting first, Alice put up a decent 7/121 total with Reggie Smith the pick of the batters scoring 40 off 40 deliveries.

Brothers’ Barry Cooke was the pick of the bowlers recording figures of 3/24 off his four overs.

Alice continued their great efforts in the field, bowling out Brothers for 63 runs in the 15th over, winning the grand final in style.

RESULTS

Major Centres: Alice Springs vs. Brothers in Arms

Women’s Community: Golden Sistas vs. Central Desert

Men’s Community: South Alice vs. Raiders

School’s Division: Yirara College vs. St. Phillips College

STATS

Major Centres: 5 teams (Alice Springs, Top End Thunder, Tennant Creek, Brothers in Arms, Eagles) – 60 players

Men’s Community: 5 teams – 55 players

Women’s Community: 4 teams – 45 players

Schools Division: 4 teams – 40 players

Schools Gala Day: 10 teams – 100 primary school kids

Total participants – 300

PICTURES FROM THE TOURNAMENT

Action from the carnival. Picture: Charlie Lowson/NT Cricket.

A player striking the ball. Picture: Charlie Lowson/NT Cricket.

A fielder throwing the ball back to the keeper. Picture: Charlie Lowson/NT Cricket.

A player at the crease during the 2024 Imparja Cup in Alice Springs. Picture: Charlie Lowson/NT Cricket.

Action from one of the Women's Community matches. Picture: Charlie Lowson/NT Cricket.

A total of 300 participants took the field in Alice. Picture: Charlie Lowson/NT Cricket.

One of the women’s sides celebrating a wicket. Picture: Charlie Lowson/NT Cricket.

A fielder throwing the ball during a match. Picture: Charlie Lowson/NT Cricket.

A total of 28 teams descended on Alice Springs for the Imparja Cup last week. Picture: Charlie Lowson/NT Cricket.

Golden Sistas posing with their trophy after taking out the grand final. Picture: Charlie Lowson/NT Cricket.

Alice Springs took home the chockies in the Major Centres grand final, defeating Brothers in Arms. Picture: Charlie Lowson/NT Cricket.

South Alice won the Men's Community final vs. Raiders. Picture: Charlie Lowson/NT Cricket.

2024 grand final winners celebrating after the 2024 Imparja Cup presentations. Picture: Charlie Lowson/NT Cricket.