VANUATU CRICKET CELEBRATES RECORD OVERSEAS PLAYER PLACEMENTS AND GROWING PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIAN CRICKET
The Vanuatu Cricket Association (VCA) is proud to announce and celebrate a significant milestone in its high-performance development program, with a record 11 cricketers currently undertaking overseas player placements in Australia, the largest group of players sent on placement in the Association's history.
The 11 players have already commenced their respective Australian cricket seasons and will return to Vanuatu at the conclusion of their placements in March 2027. This is an increase from the eight players announced for the 2025/2026 season and marks another important achievement in the Association's continued efforts to expand international playing opportunities for Ni-Vanuatu cricketers.
Among the 11 players, six are also part of the Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu Cricket Fellowship Program, an initiative under the Association's high-performance strategy that combines athlete development with practical workplace experience, mentoring and leadership opportunities.
The VCA is particularly pleased to celebrate this achievement as overseas player placements have become an important part of its high-performance development strategy, providing players with regular exposure to competitive cricket, different playing conditions and coaching approaches. These experiences have contributed to improvements in technical skills, game awareness, decision-making, fitness, strength and conditioning, while also developing the discipline, confidence and mindset required of high-performing athletes.
The benefits of these placements have also contributed to the continued growth and competitiveness of Vanuatu's national men's and women's teams, with players returning from overseas competitions bringing valuable experience and a greater understanding of the standards required to perform consistently at international level.
The success of the Vanuatu National Women's Cricket Team is one example of the progress made through continued investment in player development. The team is currently ranked 29th in the world in T20Is and has established itself among the leading women's cricket teams in the East Asia-Pacific region. Some of their achievements include winning the 2023 ICC Women's T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier to advance to the 2024 Global Qualifier in Abu Dhabi and recently qualifying for and competing in the ICC Women’s T20 Challenge Trophy in Rwanda earlier this year.
Vanuatu Cricket’s High-Performance Manager, Chris Laffan, welcomed the milestone and acknowledged the progress made in expanding opportunities for Ni-Vanuatu cricketers.
"We are extremely pleased to have a record 11 players on placement in Australia this season. It is a great achievement for Vanuatu Cricket and a reflection of the progress we are making in creating opportunities for our players. We have seen the difference these placements make to their skills, fitness, game awareness and overall development as high-performing athletes, and that experience has contributed to the progress of our national teams. We want to continue building on this and ensure more players have the opportunity to develop and compete at this level."
Adding to this milestone, Vanuatu Cricket is also pleased to recognise seven other Ni-Vanuatu cricketers who are currently living, studying and working in Australia and are competing in domestic club competitions during the Australian summer.
Together, the 11 players on formal placements and the seven players already based in Australia bring Vanuatu Cricket's presence in Australian domestic club cricket to 18 players across several states, clubs and competitions.
In a region where opportunities to pursue sport as a profession remain limited, having 18 players currently competing in Australian competitions is an achievement the Association celebrates profoundly because it shows the advancement of Ni-Vanuatu cricketers playing competitive cricket outside of their national team commitments.
These opportunities also form part of Vanuatu Cricket's wider commitment to supporting the growth of cricket across the ICC East Asia-Pacific region. The aim is that by expanding access to competitive playing environments and strengthening relationships with international clubs, VCA will contribute to raising the standard of cricket in Vanuatu and the wider region.
Vanuatu Cricket Association CEO, Tim Cutler, expressed how the milestone strengthens the Association’s position to attract further investment, build international partnerships and expand opportunities for its players.
“This is an important achievement for our athletes and the Association as a whole and we are proud to continue the advancement of our representation of Vanuatu through cricket. The continued development of our athletes and success of our national teams strengthens our position to attract greater investment, sponsorship and partnerships, allowing us to expand our programs to create more opportunities.
“The VCA has invested over two million vatu in overseas player placements in 2026, covering visas and insurance for every player, as well as flights for younger players where these are not funded by their clubs. Athletes can also supplement any playing income through related work opportunities, including coaching, umpiring and other roles, gaining valuable experience and developing skills beyond the cricket field.
“We are grateful to our existing partners, sponsors and stakeholders for supporting the work that Vanuatu Cricket is doing to open these doors for our athletes. We thank the Australian cricket clubs, alongside Cricket Australia for their continued support and for collaborating with us to provide these valuable opportunities to compete at a higher level of cricket. These partnerships are important to our long-term growth and our ambition to advance cricket in Vanuatu”, said Cutler.
The VCA is proud to announce and congratulate the following athletes on player placement.
Victorian Premier Women's Cricket
Rachel Andrew – Ifira Blackbird CC – Greenvale Kangaroos Cricket Club
Gillian Chilia – Splashe Mele Bulls – Greenvale Kangaroos Cricket Club
Natalia Kakor – Independence Park Chiefs – Greenvale Kangaroos Cricket Club
Vanessa Vira – Independence Park Chiefs – Greenvale Kangaroos Cricket Club
Victorian Turf Cricket Association
Williamsing Nalisa – Tafea CC – Doutta Stars Cricket Club
Joshua Rasu – Tusker Panthers CC – Craigieburn Cricket Club
Victorian Sub-District Cricket Competition
Clement Tommy – North Efate Bushbigs – Endeavour Hills Cricket Club
Albury-Wodonga Competition
Womajo Wotu – Tafea CC – Eskdale Cricket Club
Sunraysia Cricket Association
Raymondo Lekai – Tafea CC – Gol Gol Cricket Club
Steve Sandy – Mighty Saints CC – Gol Gol Cricket Club
Darren Wotu – Tafea CC – Gol Gol Cricket Club
The seven additional Vanuatu players already based in Australia and competing in club cricket are:
Queensland Premier Cricket
Anna Griffin – North Efate CC – Redlands Tigers Cricket Club
Cricket Far North
Juliette Wenitong – Mareeba and District Cricket Club
Stanthorpe and District Cricket Association (Various)
Callum Blake – Paama Sharks (now Independence Park Chiefs)
Valenta Langiatu – Splashe Mele Bulls
Rival Samson – Splashe Mele Bulls
Kalo Shem – North Efate CC
Selina Solman – North Efate CC
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