Vanuatu Cricket Launch in Tanna
The Vanuatu Cricket Association (VCA) Outreach Programme was officially launched at Lamenu Stadium on the southern island of Tanna last week.
Over 300 school kids and teachers attended to witness the ceremony.
Prior to the launch, the VCA development officers conducted school clinics in schools around Lenakel and Isangel area on Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd October teaching them about the basics of cricket so they can showcase the skills learned on the launch.
During the launch, official speeches were made by the Administrator of Lenakel Municipal Council, VCA President Mark Stafford, Acting Provincial Education Officer for TAFEA Province, Mrs Marie Manu and President of Tafea Provincial Government Council, Mr Nakou Natuman.
The VCA President then presented a commemoration plaque to the Tafea Provincial Government Council to commemorate the official launch of the cricket outreach program
In her official speech, the acting PEO for TAFEA Province, Mrs Marie Manu expressed her full support for the development of cricket in schools around Tafea Province. She emphasized how important sport plays a part in the lives of our young people today.
The President of Tafea Provincial Government Council, Mr. Nakou Natuman in his speech also mentioned Tafea Province's support for the Outreach Program. Natuman stressed the importance of cricket as a sport and growing with popularity and the great performance from our national team in the recent global tournament. In his closing remarks he pointed out "Together we will help develop cricket in TAFEA Province."
After the official speeches, the school kids enjoyed more than two hours of modified cricket activities with VCA Development Officers. Lunch was prepared and served for all present on the day.
Cricket gear for the Outreach Programme was distributed to sixteen (16) schools on the day followed by gifts by Tafea Provincial Government Council to the VCA delegation.
With financial assistance from the European Union (EU), the "VCA Outreach" Programme aims to provide an opportunity for primary and secondary school students aged 6 to 18 years, boys and girls, their teachers, families and community units, to learn the basics of the game of cricket and to promote organized and regular participation in sporting activities at both school and community level with the potential to progress through the VCA's existing structures and towards national selection.
The VCA Outreach Programme is also well supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP) and Pacific Sports Partnership Agreement.
Both the Vanuatu Cricket Association and the Delegation of the European Union to Vanuatu express their satisfaction that EU funding will help to take the message of cricket and social issues to the students in the schools outside of the Port Vila area and thus promote national unity as the participants will experience intra-island, inter-island and possibly international competition exposure.