Photo Credit: Perth Scorchers
WA Cricket’s annual Kambarang Cricket Carnival was held over the weekend with over 130 Aboriginal children converging on the Swan Valley Adventure Centre for two days of cricket and cultural learning activities.
The Carnival is Western Australia’s largest Aboriginal youth carnival, bringing together youth from right across the state, including a team from the Pilbara for the first time.
Participants took part in a Welcome to Country on arrival which was followed by a Deadly Cricket session, round robin cricket matches, and a cultural painting activity.
Deadly Cricket is tailored towards Aboriginal youth by incorporating traditional Aboriginal games and encouraging family participation as a way of creating greater community connection and belonging through a fun and adaptable format of cricket.
On Sunday, the children had a front row seat to the Perth Scorchers WBBL Aboriginal Match at the WACA Ground where they took part in Australian cricket’s largest barefoot circle alongside members of the Scorchers, Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Renegades, and Sydney Sixers. In total, 238 people took part in the barefoot circle.
The Carnival is supported by the WA Cricket Foundation as a key program in its Aboriginal Cricket pillar.
WA Cricket Aboriginal Cricket Specialist Adam Cockie says he is proud to see the Carnival’s growth year-on-year.
“The Kambarang Cricket Carnival is something we look forward to all year and it is fantastic to have Aboriginal youth gather from across the state and come together for a weekend of bonding and connection,” Cockie said.
“The Carnival provides participants with the opportunity to immerse themselves in cultural learning while harnessing positive peer relationships and heightened engagement in activities.”
WA Cricket Head of Philanthropy Carolyn Turner says the Carnival is a great representation of the opportunities provided to Aboriginal youth through the WA Cricket Foundation.
“It is wonderful to see cricket being used as a vehicle to bring Aboriginal youth together and provide an avenue to meet and socialise in a healthy, safe, and active environment,” Turner said.
“The Kambarang Cricket Carnival helps build young Aboriginal people’s awareness of their cultural learning and support reconnection to culture which we are proud to support.
“We look forward to expanding our reach into the regions to give Aboriginal youth a pathway to greater opportunities through sport.”
To find out more about the WA Cricket Foundation’s Aboriginal programs, click here.
