SACA Aboriginal Cricket Carnival celebrates connection through cricket
Point Pearce has emerged victors from the Aboriginal Cricket Carnival, presented by THINK! Road Safety, held across the March long weekend, defeating Port Lincoln by 14 runs in the final at Karen Rolton Oval.
Each March, SACA invites Aboriginal communities from across South Australia to come together in a celebration of culture, connection and cricket. This year, the carnival expanded to include eight teams for the first time in several seasons, with Narungga and Port Lincoln joining teams representing Flinders, Gerard, Kaurna, Koonibba, Ngarrindjeri Swans and Point Pearce. Almost 100 players took to the field across the weekend in 13 games across two days.
Day one of the Carnival was hosted on Sunday 8 March at the West Beach Playing Fields on Kaurna Country, with Uncle Mickey conducting a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony before games commenced. The ideal weather continued on Monday 9 March, with teams moving to Gladys Elphick Park, utilising both Karen Rolton Oval and Park 25.
Point Pearce and Port Lincoln finished atop their respective pools to earn their place in the final, and after winning the toss and posting 4/143, Point Pearce were able to restrict Port Lincoln to 8/129 in response.
Full scorecards and results – click here
Outstanding individual performances were recognised at the conclusion the final, with the following awards presented.
Fielding Award – James O’Laughlin (Koonibba), Theissen Cairns (Koonibba) & Kym McDonald (Kaurna) – 3 catches
Leading Wicket Taker – Scott Young (Port Lincoln) – 10 wickets at 1.70
Leading Run Scorer – Jason Smedley (Gerard) – 95 runs at 47.40
Vince Copley Player of the Carnival – Scott Young
The Carnival offers clubs a unique chance to not only showcase skills and talent on field, but to also celebrate community creativity by inviting local artists and past players to design playing shirts.
Gerard Cricket Club Coordinator Sam Mitchell explains, “One of our player’s fathers, who also played in our club’s first premiership in the 1981/1982 Riverland season, designed our playing tops.”
He adds that, as the only Aboriginal community club still competing in their local association, the Carnival plays an important role in inspiring the next generation to become involved in cricket. “The Carnival gives our young community members something positive to look forward to and be part of,” Mitchell explains.
He emphasises that the event has significance far beyond sport. “It brings not only our community, but communities from across South Australia together for a positive reason, instead of gathering only during sorry business and times of sadness.”
Reflecting on the event’s success, SACA Head of Competition Experience Tom Fenoughty noted that the Aboriginal Cricket Carnival is an important participation and connection opportunity alongside the Aboriginal Junior Cricket Academy. “It was excellent to see the carnival expand to eight teams this summer, and the final held at Karen Rolton Oval was a highlight for both players and spectators.”
These programs help develop players available for selection for the SA Boomerangs (Men) and SA Desert Peas (Women) which compete at the National Indigenous Cricket Championships in April each year.