Vanuatu Cricket is pleased to announce the Splashe National Youth Championships will begin an annual cycle in 2022, with naming sponsor Splashe Vanuatu jumping on board to boost talented cricketing hopefuls from around the country in a national first.
Taking place over five days in August, this year’s national cricket tournament for Under 19 Girls & Boys (29 August – 2 September), will be hosted at the Vanuatu Cricket Grounds and Independence Park in Port Vila.
Teams and players from Vanuatu Cricket’s four cricketing provinces and outreach programs will compete over five days to not only claim the coveted national title, but to impress attending national team and technical staff from Vanuatu Cricket.
Vanuatu Cricket Operations Manager Jamal Vira said: “National Youth Championships have not been contested provincially ever, so we are delighted to see the beginning of Vanuatu Crickets showpiece tournament, which forms an important part of our talent identification program and the national team pathway for boys and girls.
“Many current national Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu National Team players participated in club level youth championships on their journey to junior and senior national team selection, demonstrating the calibre of talent that will be showcasing their wares at the VCG.
Vanuatu Cricket Development Manager Pierre Chilia said: “We are thrilled to welcome Vanuatu’s best emerging talent to Port Vila. We have a cricketing tradition in Port Vila, producing many national team members, and this is a fantastic opportunity to witness the future national heroes on the field as well as bring in talented hopefuls from our outreach program furthering their development."
The Draw for 2022 Championships includes the likes of Splashe Mele Bulls, Vanuatu Cricket 19’s which will include 8 players from Santo, Malekula and Tanna respectively, Port Vila International School and Tafea Cricket Club all of whom hope to take home the spoils and be the next generation of young cricketers hoping to represent Vanuatu in the near future.