The University of Canberra (UC) and Cricket ACT, the peak body for the sport in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT),has officially entered into an agreement to deliver tailored in-school programmes aimed at enhancing the skills of young cricket enthusiasts throughout India. The agreement was formalised at the Jamia Millia Islamia University Ground in New Delhi, according to an official release.
A significant aspect of this collaboration is the establishment of the annual flagship event, the UC India Cricket Cup. This seven-day cricket extravaganza will feature training camps and sessions, inviting the most talented young players from schools across India to participate. The partnership aims to introduce an international dimension to cricket education in India, with a particular focus on promoting opportunities for girls and women in cricket while fostering cultural exchange, the release mentioned.
“The University’s Sport Strategy focuses our attention towards gender equality in sport, sport integrity, and building a culture of wellness. We hope this initiative will help to empower young cricketers in India with the aptitude needed to excel both on and off the field, ultimately contributing to India’s amazing cricketing legacy on the global stage,” Lucy Johnston, interim vice-chancellor, University of Canberra, said.
Furthermore, the partnership encompasses a cultural exchange programme, offering selected students the chance to visit Australia’s capital city, home to the University of Canberra, Cricket ACT, and institutions like the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). During their visit, students will immerse themselves in the local sporting culture, as per the release.
“We believe the research element of this partnership presents a substantial opportunity. Of all academic research undertaken in high performance sport and sport science internationally, the amount of that research focused specifically on female athletes is reportedly as low as six per cent. We are committed to helping to facilitate research opportunities through this partnership,” Olivia Thornton, CEO, Cricket ACT, said.