· Vanuatu to host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup EAP Qualifier between 1 – 8 September
· One spot up for grabs at the Global Qualifier scheduled for 2024
· The ICC’s 100% Cricket Leadership Program to be run concurrently focusing on athletes, commentators, and coaches · All matches Live streamed at ICC.tv
The road to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 continues in September with the East Asia Pacific (EAP) regional qualifying event taking place in Port Vila, Vanuatu. One team will book their spot in the Global Qualifier, where they will hope to qualify for the World Cup.
The island nation has qualified for the event and play host to the Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa. Vanuatu, which earlier this year was hit by two major cyclones within 48 hours of each other, will welcome the competing teams as a way to boost tourism and support the local economy.
The event marks the return of an ICC Women’s Qualifier to the region, with the last tournament played in 2019 due to the global pandemic. Defending champions, Papua New Guinea, will be looking to retain their place on top of the region, but will face some tough opposition in the single-round robin.
Concurrent to the on-field action, the ICC is also hosting the 100% Cricket Leadership Program which focuses on athletes (leading female cricketers from the seven competing nations), commentators, and coaches.
Supported by the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports, the program seeks to uplift sport knowledge and sports-based skills within the EAP region. The program will be in-part, facilitated by former Australian cricketers and media personalities, Mel Jones, Julia Price, and Cathryn Fitzpatrick, as well as representatives from Australian Cricket and New Zealand Cricket.
As part of the Leadership Program Day, a 100% Cricket Women’s Health Education session will be held with the participating teams. The objective of which is to normalise and drive necessary conversation around the topic of women’s health and menstrual cycles within the cricket ecosystem.
Vanuatu Cricket Association (VCA) CEO Tim Cutler said: “With all the disruption due to the pandemic in 2022 and Tropical Cyclones Judy & Kevin in March we are proud to be hosting our second ICC T20 World Cup qualifying event in under a year.
“Our Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu national women’s cricket team is the country’s highest ranked team and under the guidance of new coach Joshua Rasu we look forward to watching Selina Solman’s squad continue to represent the country with honour.
“The VCA would like to thank the ICC, both the Vanuatu & Australian Governments for their continued support as well as our sponsors and supporters.”
EAP Regional Development Manager Rob Gomm remarked: “I am so excited to see the senior women’s World Cup Qualifier coming back to the region. With four years since the last event, the competition is wide-open with a number of debutants across each team.
“I am particularly excited to see the 100% Cricket Leadership Program run concurrently. We wanted to utilise having close to 100 female athletes in attendance and have designed the sessions to enhance their leadership capability and develop their off-field skills. Our cohort of world class facilitators are ready to go in what will be an excellent program for all involved.
“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this event, particularly the Vanuatu Cricket Association, for their efforts in delivering a true celebration of women’s cricket in the EAP region.” Match Schedules and updates can be found via the Vanuatu Cricket media channels and all matches will be FREE to view at the Vanuatu Cricket Grounds, as well as live streamed via icc.tv.
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