Stars Foundation and Cricket Australia announce partnership
Cricket Australia, Stars Foundation Announce Partnership to Support Health and Education of Indigenous Girls
December 01, 2015
Cricket Australia and the Stars Foundation have announced a partnership that will see cricket used to achieve education outcomes for young Indigenous girls in schools across the Northern Territory.
The initial 12-month partnership, which was announced at Sanderson Middle School in Darwin today, will reach 500 girls in the NT, helping students gain education and training qualifications.
Through the partnership, cricket will be used to increase student engagement and attendance, and promote health and wellbeing.
Cricket Australia Executive General Manager, Game and Market Development, Andrew Ingleton said the partnership will help achieve results beyond the cricket field.
“We’re excited to establish this partnership with the Stars Foundation,” Mr Ingleton said.
“Not only will it encourage more Indigenous girls to play cricket but, importantly, it will also contribute positively to the education and health of the students.
“This partnership is further evidence of the power of sport to be used to achieve outcomes beyond on-field success and participation.”
Stars Foundation CEO Andrea Goddard said the partnership between the two organisations will have a lasting effect on the education and health of Indigenous girls.
“The Stars Foundation is very grateful to CA for their support. Partnerships like these are vitally important, not just for funding but for the opportunity that they provide for young women and their education, health and wellbeing,” Ms Goddard said.
“The Stars Foundation is making a positive difference in the lives of indigenous girls. Since its introduction at Sanderson Middle School, it has had an immediate and positive improvement on the engagement and learning of the girls who attend the school.”
The purpose of the Stars Foundation is to improve education and health outcomes for Indigenous girls. With the valued support of the NT Department of Education, Stars programs are now operating in six schools across the NT.
The partnership with the Stars Foundation complements Cricket Australia’s partnership with the Clontarf Foundation that has cricket in 61 schools reaching 3838 Indigenous boys.
In 2014-15, more than 26,000 Indigenous Australians played cricket. Cricket returns to the NT in February 2016 via the inaugural National Indigenous Cricket Championships and annual Imparja Cup in Alice Springs.