Designing the regional roadmap for cricket growth to hit new heights across East-Asia Pacific (EAP) was the theme of the ICC EAP Regional Conference in Papua New Guinea last week.

The conference brought together 12 cricket leaders from nine countries including Full Members Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket, with collaboration at the core of the agenda.

The conference was hosted at the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup EAP Final where delegates were able to experience the hosts PNG securing qualification to the global qualifier scheduled for later this year. The three-day conference included a visit to Hanuabada village, the spiritual home of cricket in PNG, to play cricket with local children and to increase understanding of how cricket has become one of the most popular sports in the country with almost 200,000 total participants.

The workshops provided a shared understanding of best practice and tools to overcome challenges. Each Member left the conference with country-specific plans to support development of the game and an introduction to new ICC products and services to help them reach new audiences.

ICC Development Manager, Jane Livesey who heads up the ICC team in EAP said: “This conference was all about bringing our members together to collaboratively discuss and design the growth of cricket in the region. We have strong foundations throughout the region to grow the game like we never have before and now we have a collective commitment and plan to make that a reality. I am excited and eager to support and see cricket grow and thrive in all our members.”

Cricket Australia, Junior Formats Specialist, Lachlan Tosh said: “It was great to be a part of the conference. Establishing connections with the wider EAP regional is extremely valuable for the growth and development of cricket in the area. From hearing the discussions over the past 3 days, it is clear that it is an exciting time for cricket in the EAP region.”

Cricket PNG CEO Greg Campbell said: “After our time together at the EAP conference in Port Moresby I feel there are exciting times ahead for the region. In particular, it was great to hear about some of the new ICC initiatives being rolled out and to be part of the robust discussions that took place about how we move forward and help each other. It was great to have the Full Members involved and it was successful in outlining how we can move forward as a region.”

Philippines Cricket Association General Manager, Faisal Khan: “It was a great learning experience listening to the views of other members of the EAP region. The ideas shared during the conference will definitely help us move forward and grow bigger and better.”

©Cricket World 2019