Growing Indigenous cricket

Introduced in 2008, the program that was pioneered by Lucknow Cricket Club aims to introduce local Indigenous children to the rules and skills of cricket.

Led by Paul West, the club’s Junior Cricket Coordinator and Bairnsdale West Primary School teacher, the initiative has grown from eight Indigenous participants to a current 17, aged between nine and 18.

After identifying the need to increase organised sport participation among his Indigenous students, West and Lucknow approached Cricket Victoria (CV) and designed a strategy to get the children involved in cricket.

“Our club believes that equal opportunities should be provided to all children to play cricket and we believe that our Indigenous Program does this,” West said.

Recognising cricket’s logistics, including transport, uniforms, coaching, registration fees, meals, equipment and volunteers, acted as barriers for his students, West and Lucknow decided to implement the Lucknow Indigenous Cricket Program.

The club, along with support from Bairnsdale West and CV, managed to break down these obstacles through financial assistance.

Playing in the Bairnsdale Cricket Association, the participants gather after school on Wednesdays to train with matches being played on Friday nights.

“Seeing the kids get a sense of belonging from being a part of a team has been extremely rewarding,” West said.

“It has helped with their emotional wellbeing.”

Lucknow Cricket Club was a finalist for the Victorian Government’s 2014 Community Sporting Club of the Year award.