WA Cricket brings deadly fun to Aboriginal young people at Geraldton PCYC

Aboriginal children and young people in Geraldton have found a new way to keep active thanks to the Deadly Cricket Program held at Geraldton PCYC.

The WA Cricket Foundation’s Deadly Cricket Program aims to promote social inclusion among Aboriginal young people in regional WA through involvement in cricket, as well as providing education in areas such as nutrition, mental health and leadership.

The six-week program is run in partnership with Geraldton PCYC, the WA Police, MEEDAC, the City of Greater Geraldton and Geraldton Sporting Aboriginal Corporation (GSAC).

Geraldton PCYC was a hive of activity during the first session with 16 young people, between the age of 11 to 15 attending. Local Police Officers, staff from PCYC, the WA Cricket Foundation, City of Greater Geraldton, MEEDAC and GSAC also joined in the fun. Bowling basics were covered and a traditional Aboriginal game called Noongar Wana was played.

For the next month local children and young people will learn other fundamental cricket skills. The goal of the program is to engage young Aboriginal people in physical activity, showing them that cricket can be played anytime, anywhere, in a fun, fast and accessible format.

Geraldton PCYC Centre Manager, Talya Quinn said, “There is no cost required and no equipment needed to participate, making it the perfect activity for disadvantaged children and young people to attend."