Nine NSW cricketers, four in the men’s squad and five in the women’s squad, have been selected for the Cricket Australia (CA) and the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) Foundation’s second annual National Indigenous Cricket Training Camp, to be held on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from November 18 -22.
The NSW players chosen for the training camp include some of the star performers during the National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC) held in February earlier this year, including Dharmini Chauhan, who was adjudged the women’s player of the competition that the NSW women’s team won, Chauhan taking home most of the individual awards in the women’s categories.
Charlie Anderson, 19, who made his debut for the NSW Men’s Team in the One-Day Cup last month, alongside Australian captain Pat Cummins, will also take part in the camp.
The training camp is unique opportunity that will see a select group of talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cricketers come together for a week of intensive training, cultural exchange and competitive matches.
The training camp aims to foster and grow opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cricketing talent, in keeping with CA’s commitment to increase opportunities for players from both cultures and ease transitions through the pathway process.
Activities across the weeklong camp include a welcome dinner hosted by the MCC Foundation, coaching and skill development, cultural health and wellbeing sessions, immersive experiences to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and cricket matches on the MCG against MCC premier cricket men’s and women’s sides.
The 2023 National Indigenous Cricket Training Camp was an enormous success, providing an unforgettable experience for all players involved. The training camp featured T20 matches on the MCG and showcased the exceptional talent and spirit of Indigenous cricket.
The partnership with the MCC Foundation and the resultant MCG training camp is a key step in CA's broader strategy to increase Indigenous participation in cricket and nurture the next wave of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cricketing talent.
Cricket Australia Head of Social Impact and Sustainability Megan Barnett-Smith said: “I am thrilled the National Indigenous Training Camp hosted by the MCC Foundation is back after the success of last year’s camp and cannot wait to see a new group of players converge on the MCG.
“We remain committed to reconciliation, celebrating the ongoing contributions of First Nations Peoples across all aspects of our game and sustainably strengthening opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to play, attend and follow cricket.
"Initiatives like investment in participation growth funding streams for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cricket engagement activities, Reconciliation Rounds in Premier and Community cricket clubs, the Weber WBBL First Nations matches, the National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC), and the training camp hosted by the MCC Foundation are practical steps to foster unity and connection through cricket.
“Once again, we would like to thank our wonderful partner the MCC Foundation for their support in bringing initiatives like this to life.”
Squads for the 2024 National Indigenous Cricket Training Camp
Men's Squad
Brayden DeVries (Palawa/TAS)
Blake Smith (Wiradjuri/NSW)
Les Smith (Dhungutti and Biripi /NSW)
Bailey Toseland (Taungurung/VIC)
Damon Egan (Gunditjmara /VIC)
Wade King (Ngampiaa /VIC)
Cruz Baker (Dharug/QLD)
Dylan McLachlan (Kamilaroi/QLD)
Brock Larance (BiripiWA)
Clint Hinchcliffe (Gundungurra /WA)
Brendan Kopper (Palawa/TAS)
Charlie Anderson (Kamilaroi/NSW)
Kobe Ross (Kaiwalagal/NSW)
Cody Hoffmeister (Palawa/WA)
Women's Squad
Dharmini Chauhan (Wiradjuri/NSW)
Tahlia Meier (Wamba Wamba/VIC)
Clodagh Ryall (Kaurareg/QLD)
Tracey Williamson (Kaurareg/QLD)
Grace Abdy (Waanyi Ganggalida/QLD)
Christina Coulson (Kaurareg/QLD)
Charlotte Toohey (QLD)
Callee Black (Wiradjuri/NSW)
Carys Underwood (Kooma/QLD)
Veronica Keen (Badimia/WA)
Lara Graham (Kamilaroi/NSW)
Maddison Spence (Wiradjuri/NSW)
Aimee Ravot (Wiradjuri/NSW)
Cricket Australia’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan will be launched during the National Indigenous Cricket Training Camp at the MCG.