Refugees hitting sixes in the South East

The program called All Nations Social Cricket began in October at the Dandenong Showgrounds.

Cricket Victoria Regional Cricket Manager Adrian Jones and Cricket Victoria Multicultural Officer Waddington Mwayenga coordinated the sessions.

Jones said the aim of the program was to be inclusive of the wider community through cricket and felt the program had been successful.

“The aim of the program was to bring together people of all nations to teach and play cricket in a social environment,” Jones said.

“We’ve had participants join us from traditional cricket backgrounds such as Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka as well as non-traditional cricket backgrounds such as players from Afghanistan and Sudan.

“We are aware of some players who have joined local clubs in the Dandenong District Cricket Association and the Victorian Sunday Cricket Association or have expressed an interest in joining a club next season.

“The program was to culminate with our final session in December with our finale day, Refugees Celebration Day, where we were joined by the Mayor and several key people from council to join us with a barbecue, some entertainment and of course the match.

“However due to the program’s popularity, it will continue well after its intended finish and will now continue through the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.”

Jones said the sessions began as eight-a-side cricket games, however the format was extended as players wanted to play for longer and as participants increased.

“We have been able to be very flexible with the formats and rules. The players enjoy the competition between two teams and each week we choose new captains and select new teams to share the opportunities around,” Jones said.

The program also entered a team in the Harmony in Cricket Carnival that was held on January 15 at Jacana Reserve, Broadmeadows.

Abdul Razzaq a volunteer and participant enjoyed the carnival and the day’s proceedings.

“We were really thrilled to be apart of the day and everybody had a great time,” Razzaq said.

The sessions were run in conjunction with the City of Greater Dandenong, Ames, Monash Health and Cricket Victoria.