Imparja Cup in Alice Springs cancelled following increase in Covid and access concerns due to wild weather

One of the country’s most esteemed indigenous sporting events in the Red Centre will not be held for the first time in 29 years.

ONE of the country’s most esteemed Indigenous sporting events has been cancelled due to Covid and wild weather.

In a statement on Tuesday, Cricket NT said Alice Springs’ Imparja Cup would not be held later this month in a move to “protect the health and wellbeing” of attendees and the community.

The cup, which was to be held between February 13 and 18, was cancelled following consultation with the cup’s steering committee, teams and community groups.

There were fears with players, officials and supporters travelling from remote areas, the “increased prevalence” of coronavirus and heavy rains impacting access, it would create a “significant level of discomfort”.

However, Cricket NT confirmed the Alice Springs Cricket Competition will proceed this weekend.

The Desert Eagles celebrate a wicket at the cup in 2020. Picture: Emma Murray.

In a statement, Cricket NT chief executive Joel Morrison said the decision was “disappointing” but the health and safety of the cricketing community was its number one priority.

“The past two years have challenged us all on many fronts and the support we’ve received from the community as we’ve navigated our way through the pandemic has been greatly appreciated,” Morrison said.

“The Imparja Cup is a special celebration of cricket, country and culture, and we look forward to delivering a successful event in 2023.”

The cup was first held on Australia Day in 1994, an initiative of Mervyn and Shane Franey and Ross Williams from Alice Springs and Tennant Creek respectively, who wanted to promote indigenous cricket and hold an annual match between the two locales.

Shane told NT News it was in the best interests of everyone to cancel the carnival.

“There are people out bush that are stuck, if they travel in they’ll get bogged,” Franey said.

“It’s pretty sad. With the rain, a lot of people can’t get there.”

He said the event would definitely be back in 2023 “as long as we don’t have anymore rain and more Covid”.

The peak body’s Alice Springs cricket manager, Josh Dipple, said it was a “bummer” but there was no other alternative.

“It’s a massive shame unfortunately,” Dipple said.

“The health of local citizens comes first and foremost, we were left with no other choice really.

“It’s a bummer we can’t go safely ahead with it.”

This year’s tournament had 23 teams, more than doubling 2020’s carnival, with seven women’s teams.

Australian cricketers D’Arcy Short, Ashleigh Garner and Hannah Darlington played at the cup as juniors.

Dillon Measures swings hard for the Desert Eagles. Picture: Emma Murray.

Morrison said earlier this week the cup was a significant part of Territory cricket with the Red Centre the “spiritual home of indigenous cricket”.

Alice Springs Town Council mayor Matt Paterson said it was one of the most pre-eminent indigenous sporting events in the country.

Cricket NT had earlier announced the National Indigenous Cricket Championships, which began in 2016 as a way of strengthening Indigenous cricket pathways, will not run alongside the cup due to ongoing travel restrictions.