Media Release

Wednesday, 9 September 2009

Representatives from six separate Indigenous communities will be seeking to take out top honours in Twenty20 cricket when the inaugural Murray River Challenge Cup takes place under lights in Swan Hill on Sunday, October 11.

The teams, from Mildura, Robinvale, Swan Hill, Kerang, Echuca and Shepparton, will be made up of local Indigenous community members, Victoria Police and local cricket members, with the round robin competition getting underway at the Swan Hill Recreation Oval from 9am and the final expected to take place at 7pm.

Swan Hill Rural City Council's Aboriginal Affairs Manager and Murray River Challenge Cup Committee Chair Rob Connelly said the competition aimed to promote stronger partnerships between local Indigenous communities and other areas of the community.

“Sport, in this case Twenty20 cricket, is an effective way to break down barriers and for members across the community to interact, therefore developing and building relationships,” Mr Connelly said.

“The original concept of this competition came from an idea from Sunraysia Institute of TAFE's Alan Walsh, which has progressed into the Murray River Challenge Cup. It will be a great family day out for everyone across the region – all are welcome.”

Inspector of Police Garry Bennett said the day would encourage stronger ties between police and the Indigenous community, while highlighting the region's top sporting talent.

“This competition not only aims to promote greater harmony between local Aboriginal people and police, it is a great opportunity to showcase young Aboriginal cricketing talent in our region,” Inspector Bennett said.

“I'm very pleased that this inaugural event will kick off in Swan Hill and it's an event that the committee would like to see our local community get behind and show their support.

“The bigger picture is, that if this event continues through our other five communities, it has the potential to eventually become a state-wide recognised event,” he added.

Sunraysia Institute of TAFE's Koorie Liaison Officer Alan Walsh also praised the event and its potential.

“It will be great to see ambassadors from our region representing their communities in this competition and it can only enhance and encourage the younger generation into team sport, in this case cricket,” Mr Walsh said.

“Cricket has grown over time and it has been great seeing members of the Indigenous community – in particular the younger ones - turning up at the Swan Hill nets and playing. They have really taken to it, even if they have never played before.

“There is already some great talent showing through and the enthusiasm has been amazing, what's more, the potential of where this concept could lead is very exciting,” Mr Walsh said.

Swan Hill Rural City Council Mayor Cr Greg Cruickshank encouraged the community to get behind the event.

“It is simply fantastic that Swan Hill will be hosting the very first Murray River Challenge Cup, this is a huge event for Swan Hill and a great opportunity for our region as a whole.

“It would be great to see our community out there on October 11 and throwing their support behind our local team and this event,” he said.

State selectors for the Victorian Imparja Cup side (which is played every year in Alice Springs) will also be in attendance on the day, giving local talent the opportunity to progress through the Victorian Indigenous pathway system and the potential to represent Victoria at a national level.

A range of activities are also planned for the event, with the challenge cup to form part of the overall day celebrating Indigenous culture and promoting community harmony.

Other activities on the day will include the 2009 Harmony 8s Challenge (which will see Indigenous and non-Indigenous children between nine and 12 years playing a Kanga 8s modified cricket match), long throw and fastest throw competitions, big hit competition, games and activities, Koorie art, music, jumping castle and much more.

The Murray River Challenge Cup is a joint project between Cricket Victoria, Victoria Police, Indigenous Communities throughout the region, Swan Hill Aboriginal Health Service, Sunraysia Institute of TAFE, Department of Justice and Swan Hill Rural City Council.