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.
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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
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