Media release – Cricket Tasmania, 15 June 2023
Glenorchy Cricket Club announces Northern Suburbs Ambassador Program, with support of CT
Glenorchy Cricket Club is proud to partner with Cricket Tasmania to deliver its pilot Northern Suburbs Ambassador Program.
The Northern Suburbs Ambassador Program’s primary aim is to grow interest and involvement in cricket in Hobart’s northern suburbs, by running clinics in local state primary and secondary schools that don’t currently have their own cricket programs. However, as a pilot program, if deemed successful, the intent is to establish a program framework that could be mirrored by other clubs or rolled out in other regions across the state.
Glenorchy First Grade player – who has also represented Tasmania in Second XI cricket – Josh Hartill, will deliver a series of sessions at schools including Cosgrove High, Montrose Bay, Jordan River, New Norfolk, Glenora and Oatlands schools, as well as support the delivery of the Reclink Community Series Cricket Tournament.
The program will work with Reclink to fund scholarships for identified talent to be supported in a transition to the Wilson Homes Cricket Tasmania Premier League (CTPL) following the conclusion of the Reclink Community Series Cricket Tournament each year, and include providing cricket equipment to these cricketers to support their retention in the game.
President of the Glenorchy Cricket Club, Tony Wade, said his club was extremely proud to be at the forefront of such an initiative.
“We’re really excited at the platform this gives us to help continue to grow the game of cricket in the northern suburbs, giving boys and girls access to the game of cricket where they might not previously have had the opportunity before,” Wade said.
“Over 50,000 people live in the northern suburbs catchment area, and we are a region of enormous growth, so we really feel that the potential for the growth of our sport is huge.
“Whilst there’s no denying that this particular pilot program has the potential to benefit us at Glenorchy CC, from our perspective we think the Northern Suburbs Ambassador Program has the potential to benefit a multitude of clubs in our region.”
Cricket Tasmania’s General Manager of High Performance, Salliann Beams, echoed Wade’s comments.
“We’re delighted to be assisting the Glenorchy Cricket Club in getting their Northern Suburbs Ambassador Program up and running,” Beams said.
“Ultimately, we want as many Tasmanians as possible to have the opportunity to participate in cricket, and we really do feel this initiative has the potential to reach people who haven’t had that opportunity previously.
“As Tony said, we firmly believe that this initiative doesn’t just have the potential to benefit Glenorchy CC, but cricket across the region and across the state should the pilot program be successful.”
Cricket sessions in schools will begin to be rolled out in August, in the lead up to the 2023-24 season.
