The Australian Government has announced a million dollar cricket partnership with several Pacific countries.
The partnership includes Government support of up to 1.4 million US dollars over four years, and will initially focus on Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Solomon Islands.
The money comes from 20 million dollars in sports-related assistance to Pacific island countries announced at the Pacific Islands Forum in August last year.
The CEO of Cricket PNG, Bill Leane, says they're focussing on grassroots development of the sport, but it is also about helping communities.
"There'll be a lot of people outside of the children. There'll be families, parents, older people in the villages that will also be able to get involved in helping, assisting, coaching, helping with clinics, taking reponsibility for equipment. All of these things help a community in general to lift their self esteem."
Bill Leane from cricket PNG
