Vanuatu Cricket Launches Club Pathway Coaching Program in Port Vila.

PORT VILA, VANUATU — In a transformative step for domestic cricket development, Vanuatu Cricket has unveiled its inaugural Club Pathway Coaches Program—a pioneering initiative aimed at bridging the gap between school cricket and club-level competition across Port Vila.

For the first time in the nation's history, dedicated coaches have been appointed to lead both club and school-based development efforts, ushering in a new era of professionalism and structure within the Vanuatu cricketing landscape. This program is set to significantly elevate grassroots engagement and competitive standards.

The appointed coaches include respected names from across the cricketing community: Williamsing Nalisa (Tafea Cricket Club), Nalin Nipiko (Tusker Panthers), Wamejo Wotu (Indy Chiefs), Clement Tommy (North Efate Bushpigs), Simpson Obed (Mighty Saints CC), and Andrew Mansale (Splashe Mele Bulls). Each will be embedded within their respective clubs while also overseeing cricket development programs at designated local schools.

Each coach will conduct one weekly training session with their affiliated club, participate in weekly school visits, and serve as a player-coach throughout the 2025 season. They will also collaborate with Vanuatu Cricket's High-Performance Manager, Chris Laffan, to ensure consistency and elite-level guidance across all development activities.

"Standing from Left to Right: Jamal Vira (Operations Manager), Darren Wotu (Coaching Pathways Officer), Wamejo Wotu (Indy Chiefs), Nalin Nipiko (Tusker Panthers), Clement Tommy (North Efate Bushpigs), Williamsing Nalisa (Tafea Cricket Club), Chris Laffan (High Performance Manager)".

"This initiative represents a long-overdue step toward addressing one of the major challenges in Vanuatu cricket—creating a clear and sustainable pathway from school participation to senior club competition," said a Vanuatu Cricket spokesperson. "While our youth programs have always been strong, the transition to senior levels has been difficult to navigate. This program not only strengthens our clubs but also provides a consistent, visible route for aspiring young players to follow."

The Club Pathway Coaches Program is expected to yield both immediate and long-term results. On a practical level, it enhances the coaching ecosystem, strengthens club operations, and raises the competitive bar across the board. Strategically, it serves as a critical component in Vanuatu Cricket’s mission to professionalise the sport and foster homegrown talent from the ground up.

“This is about more than just technical skills,” added the spokesperson. “It’s about leadership, mentorship, and creating a legacy. By giving these coaches the tools and responsibility to build up their clubs and mentor school-age players, we’re laying the foundation for the next generation of Vanuatu’s cricketing stars. Vanuatu Cricket extends its gratitude to all participating clubs—Tafea Cricket Club, Mighty Saints, Splashe Mele Bulls, Tusker Panthers, Ifira Blackbird Cricket Club, Indy Chiefs, and North Efate Bushpigs—as well as High Performance Manager Chris Laffan, whose strategic leadership has been instrumental in bringing this program to life.