Vanuatu Women’s Cricket Team Returns Home – A Proud Finish in the PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational

mediavanuatucricke
Jun 27
2 min read

The Vanuatu Women’s Cricket Team has returned home after securing a hard-fought third place at the inaugural PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational in Papua New Guinea.

To mark the end of their campaign, the Vanuatu-based members of the team were warmly welcomed by the Australian High Commission in Vanuatu, where they had the opportunity to reflect on their experiences, share highlights from the tour, and of course, talk all things cricket.

The tournament brought together teams from Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and the First Nations Australian side – the first time such a regional event has united Pacific nations with First Nations athletes from Australia.

Tim Cutler Chief Executive Officer Vanuatu Cricket Association — Tim Cutler *Chief Executive Officer Vanuatu Cricket Association*

In his speech, VCA CEO Tim Cutler reflected on Australia’s enduring support for cricket in Vanuatu—from funding early development programs to backing social impact initiatives like Women’s Island Cricket, and more recently, assistance from the Department of Home Affairs in expediting visa processing during time-sensitive situations. He highlighted this exemplary support during last year’s Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, when storms in the UAE forced urgent transit visa requests for Australia, all of which were processed in time for the team to reach Abu Dhabi in time for the tournament as planned.

Emily Fisher Australian Deputy High Commissioner — Emily Fisher *Australian Deputy High Commissioner*

The PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational was not only a celebration of sporting talent but a unique platform for cultural exchange, friendship, and empowerment through sport.

Vanuatu’s strong showing on the field was a testament to the growing strength of women’s cricket in the region, with teams ranked 13 (PNG), 20 (Indonesia) and 32nd (Vanuatu) in the relatively small EAP region.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Australian Government and the Australian High Commission, whose ongoing support through PacificAus Sports continues to provide life-changing opportunities for athletes in Vanuatu and across the region. Programs like this help strengthen people-to-people connections and promote shared values of equality, resilience, and community.