PNG announce scholarship recipients
Cricket PNG has announced the recipients of Brian Bell Future Star Scholarships for 2010-11.
The Brian Bell Future Stars Scholarship Program is designed to select those Papua New Guinean cricketers with great potential who will benefit from exposure to elite competition, facilities and coaching in another country.
This program has long term implications for the High Performance Programs of Cricket PNG and aims to assist our players in taking the next step in their individual performances and careers.
It is a program that gives individuals the means and the opportunities to make their life and that of their family and community better and it is for that reason that the programs stands as a testament to the spirit and legacy of the late Sir Brian Bell.
The recipients for 2010-11 are listed below.
| No | Players | Destination | Club |
| 1 | Rarua Dikana | Melbourne | Bentleigh CC |
| 2 | Kila Pala | Melbourne | Airport West |
| 3 | Loa Nou | Melbourne | Box Hill |
| 4 | Jason Kila | Melbourne | Box Hill and Coles Sharks |
| 4 | Jason Kila | Melbourne | Box Hill and Coles Sharks |
| 5 | Pipi Raho | Melbourne | Doutta Stars |
| 6 | Mahuru Dai | Melbourne | BroadmeadowsCC |
| 7 | Sese Bau | Melbourne | Bentleigh CC and Coles Sharks |
| 8 | Tony Ura | Melbourne | Broadmeadows CC and Coles Sharks |
| 9 | Hitolo Areni | Melbourne | Broadmeadows CC |
| 10 | Lega Siaka | Melbourne | Doutta Stars and Coles Sharks |
| 11 | Raymond Haoda | Brisbane | Norths |
| 12 | Assad Vala | ACT | Ginniderra & ACT COMETS |
| 13 | Jack Vare | ACT | Ginniderra & ACT COMETS |
| 14 | Norma Ovasuru | Tasmania | TBC |
Cricket PNG CEO Bill Leane commented on this list of talented cricketers by saying "We are thrilled at the players we have assembled to take part in the Brian Bell Future Stars Scholarship Program for this year. It represents a mixture of youth and experience, raw talent and veterans and importantly for the first time a female player."
"The list is a glimpse into the future of cricket in this country; Barramundi's Captain Rarua Dikana will be taking up a coaching and playing role in Melbourne helping to build his resume as future coach, youngsters like Lega Siaka, Sese Bau and Tony Ura are also recipients and their performances on scholarship will help us to see their future as Barramundi's.
Meanwhile Lewas player Norma Ovasuru will be playing in Tasmania and trialling for a position in their women's side potentially playing in the top level of women's cricket in Australia".
"This glimpse into our future is only possible through the massive support of the Brian Bell Group of Companies. This Brian Bell Future Stars Scholarship Program is a tribute to the legacy of Sir Brian and permanent reminder that his community spirit will be carried on through the work of his companies". Leane concluded.
Also present at today's announcement was Trevan Clough, son of the Late Sir Brian Bell and a Director of the Brian Bell Group of companies who stated "It is imperative for the future of this country that our youth are given the opportunity to develop as individuals. As a former Olympian I see the great value that sport can have on individuals and communities and I look forward to seeing these players return from Australia and contribute to their sport and to their communities".
The 14 players announced today include star players Jack Vare and Assad Vala who as previously announced will be travelling to Canberra to play for the ACT Comet's in Australia's Futures League Competition.