Queensland Cricket has bolstered its Indigenous cricket programs with the announcement that seven Queensland players have been selected for Cricket Australia’s National Indigenous Training Camp. Part of Cricket Australia’s partnership with the MCC Foundation, the camp supports increased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in cricket and is scheduled to run in Melbourne from November 18 to November 22.
The Queensland representatives include five female and two male players, with newcomers Carys Underwood (Kaomu/Sunshine Coast Cricket Club) and (Kameryn Bray Wiradjuri/Wynnum District Cricket Club) among them. Representing the female squad are Clodagh Ryall (Kaurareg/Wynnum Manly Cricket Club), Grace Abdy (Waanyi & Ganggalida/Valleys District Cricket Club), Christina Coulson (Kaurareg/Valley District Cricket Club), Underwood, and Bray, while Cruz Baker (Dharug/Norths District Cricket Club) and Dylan McLachlan (Wiradjuri/Valley District Cricket Club) represent the men.
Coulson, captain of Queensland’s Women’s Indigenous team, commented on the growth of Indigenous cricket at a recent gala day event for the Eddie Gilbert Program, held at Allan Border Field in collaboration with Deadly Choices.
"We’ve had a core group of players that have been around the squad for a number of years, however we are now uncovering more and more talent with the increased exposure of Queensland Cricket's Indigenous programs” Coulson said.
The gala day marks just one in a series of initiatives aimed at expanding QC’s Indigenous cricket pathway. QC’s Reconciliation Action Plan has supported a busy schedule of upcoming events designed to increase Indigenous participation in cricket, including:
- The Michael Mainhardt T20 Indigenous Challenge: Set for November 31 to December 2 in Cairns and supported by Taverners QLD
- A Female Indigenous Talent Development Camp: Scheduled for January in Brisbane, which is funded by the Queensland Government’s Active Industry Project Fund.
- The Mosaic Cup: Scheduled for early 2025 where an Indigenous Development XI will face a Multicultural XI
- Statewide Eddie Gilbert Programs: Regional programs are set to launch across Queensland in the second quarter of 2025.
These initiatives underscore QC’s continued efforts to strengthen Indigenous participation in cricket, aligning with Cricket Australia’s objectives to foster inclusivity and provide meaningful pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players. For more information, or to get involved with Queensland Cricket’s Indigenous programs, contact Kieren Gibbs at Kieren.Gibbs@qldcricket.com.au