Cricket Australia joins as Harmony Day partner

Cricket Australia today became an official partner of Harmony Day 2006, an Australian Government initiative that will be celebrated on 21 March to help promote the nation’s multicultural and diverse society.

The official partnership was launched by Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer Mr James Sutherland and the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Mr John Cobb, during the Second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“Joining as a partner of Harmony Day was a natural fit in line with Australian cricket’s plans to take the game to Australians of all backgrounds and abilities,” said Mr Sutherland.

“We know we have to make cricket relevant to today’s changing population – a population that speaks over 200 languages and of which 25 per cent were born overseas. Many of these people have arrived in Australia with no cricket knowledge or culture.

“While cricket is sometimes seen as an exclusive game for certain groups, this is not the case and we want to ensure it’s not the perception either.

“We can’t assume cricket will always be part of the Australian culture, as has been the case for such a long time, unless we make the game relevant and accessible to today’s culture.

“Harmony Day gives us the opportunity to reinforce where we are headed and ensure we introduce and share our game so it is Australia’s favourite sport.

“Making cricket accessible and relevant goes wider than just increasing participation. It’s about introducing the game to new audiences, continuing our Spirit of Cricket education at all levels and creating new ways for people to be involved outside playing.

“Harmony Day is also an opportunity for cricket to reinforce its zero tolerance on any behaviour that goes against our values of making our game a united one.

“Cultural diversity is one of global cricket’s strengths and enduring characteristics and we want people to feel welcome in whatever capacity they are involved in the game – as a player, coach, umpire, spectator or volunteer.”

Cricket Australia is one of 19 organisations across Australia that has committed to working with the Australian Government to champion the message of community harmony.

In recent years, Cricket Australia has focussed on developing and increasing participation among females and Indigenous Australians and will, over the coming 12 months, continue to broaden its initiatives to embrace the wider community.

As part of Cricket Australia’s contribution to Harmony Day, a school cricket resource will be piloted in a number of schools nationally in February next year, entitled Playing in Harmony.

The resource uses classroom activities to cover a range of important community and student development issues such as the Spirit of Cricket, racism, bullying, respecting others, teamwork, leadership, rights and responsibilities and fair play.

Mr Sutherland said it was important to continue to educate all levels and functions of the game.

“One of our priorities is to make sure we reach and connect with young people and hopefully through some of our initiatives we can start to instil in them a real sense of what Australian cricket is all about.”

Harmony Day was first introduced in 1999. For more information, visit www.harmony.gov.au