Vanuatu Cricket Association and Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu renew major partnership through 2028.

The Vanuatu Cricket Association (VCA) is pleased to announce the continuation of its long-standing partnership with Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu, following the signing of a new two-year sponsorship agreement that extends the relationship through December 2028.

Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu will continue as a Gold Sponsor and Official Hotel and Resort Partner of Vanuatu Cricket, reinforcing a collaboration that has supported the growth of the sport and wider community initiatives since 2019. The partnership has remained strong through significant challenges in recent years, including the impacts of COVID-19, severe cyclones and the recent earthquake in Port Vila, demonstrating a shared commitment to resilience, development and community wellbeing.

Under the renewed agreement, Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu will provide both financial and in-kind support, including accommodation and event hosting, while also securing naming rights to the Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu Cricket Fellowship Program. The partnership will also feature prominent brand visibility across national team apparel and VCA communication platforms.

The Fellowship Program forms an important part of VCA’s broader education and workforce pathway, supporting players, officials and staff who gain international exposure before returning to contribute to cricket and community development in Vanuatu. The program provides structured opportunities across coaching, administration, social impact and sport development, while also building valuable professional and life skills.

Complementing this initiative is Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu’s own community program, Redi Blong Tumoro, which focuses on empowering young Ni-Vanuatu through education, practical skills and exposure to hospitality and workplace environments. Together, these programs create a connected pathway that supports personal growth, employment readiness and leadership opportunities both within sport and beyond.

VCA Chief Executive Officer Tim Cutler said the partnership represents more than traditional sponsorship.

“This is a relationship that has stood the test of time. Since 2019, Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu has backed us not just when things were easy, but when they were at their most difficult. That level of support says a lot about their commitment to Vanuatu and to the role sport plays in the community.

“The Fellowship Program is a really important part of what we are building. It is about giving people, whether players or staff, a pathway not just in cricket, but in life, and creating opportunities for them to come back and contribute meaningfully. Having Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu aligned to that is significant.”

Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu General Manager Rashmi Tulsiani said the organisation is proud to continue supporting the development of cricket and youth opportunities in Vanuatu.

“Our partnership with Vanuatu Cricket reflects our belief in the power of sport to bring people together and create opportuniti. Through initiatives such as the Fellowship Program and our Redi Blong Tumoro program, we are proud to support pathways that extend beyond the game — helping build skills, confidence and future opportunities for the next generation in Vanuatu. We look forward to continuing this journey with VCA and building on what we have achieved together over the past seven years.”

The partnership will also continue collaboration across events, corporate engagement and marketing initiatives, helping position Vanuatu as a destination for sport, tourism and community activity. The resort’s conference and event facilities and accommodation offerings support visiting teams, officials and tournaments hosted in Port Vila.

As Vanuatu Cricket prepares for a busy international calendar across both men’s and women’s programs, the renewed agreement provides important stability and strengthens the platform for continued growth of the sport nationwide.