Photo Credit: Sydney Sixers
Show us what you’ve got! That is the message from the Sydney Sixers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cricketers after nominations opened for the annual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup uses cricket as the vehicle to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and is part of CNSW’s ongoing commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, via the Sixers and the Sydney Thunder.
The commitment by CNSW to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup is an ongoing action from the recently released CNSW Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The annual event combines cricket and culture in a multi-day experience for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cricketers from across the state.
This season the Women’s event will be played between teams representing the Sixers and Thunder in North Sydney on October 18 and 19.
The Men’s event will take place in Albury on November 29 and 30, with the Sixers and Thunder joined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teams from the Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars.
Lara Graham, a Anaiwan and Kamilaroi woman, who represents the Sixers, said the tournament was great for her community and continued to go from strength to strength.
“It’s a really good thing that the Sydney Sixers provide this opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to participate in a sport that they love whilst also connecting with other Indigenous people,” Graham said.
“Last year there were more younger girls that played for the Sydney Sixers, which shows that the word is getting out there about this competition which is so great to see and I’m sure that it will continue to grow.
“The thing I most enjoy about playing in the competition is the relationships I build with other strong indigenous women.
“We all have so much fun on and off the field and it’s always so great having strong Indigenous role models to look up to like (Sydney Thunder captain) Julie Muir and (Sixers teammate) Roxsanne Van-Veen.”
Another Sixers representative, Brett Russell, a Dunghutti and Biripi man, said the chance to play in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup offered more than just the opportunity to pad up for a game or two.
“Cricket has helped me connect with my culture by trying to become a role model in my community, as well as trying to promote the game of cricket for the next Indigenous players to come through.”
Nominations for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup are open now for both the Men’s and Women’s teams and can be found here:
To nominate for the Sydney Sixers Men’s Team, CLICK HERE.
To nominate for the Sydney Sixers Women’s Team, CLICK HERE.
Nominations will close on Monday 6 September at 5:00pm.
Dates are subject to change in line with NSW Health advice and restrictions.
Name of Author: Sydney Sixers
The Sydney Sixers are an Australian professional Twenty20 cricket team competing in the Big Bash League (BBL). Based at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the Sixers, along with the Sydney Thunder, succeeded the New South Wales Blues from the now-defunct KFC Twenty20 Big Bash.
