Cricket for Change – Alice Springs

Cricket is being used as a means for bringing about social change in Alice Springs, with nine men from the correctional centre getting a chance to train with Dan Christian, the captain of the Australian men’s indigenous team, as part of a reintegration programme.

“They come out, have fun, learn to work as a team, and it’s about team building, it’s about sharing the load, it’s about responsibility,” said Ian McDowell-Jones, Sport and Recreation Officer at the ASCC, about the players.

Christian, the Victoria all-rounder who has played 19 one-day internationals and 16 Twenty20 Internationals over the years, and is a popular player at T20 leagues around the world, also expressed his happiness at playing a part.

“Come up and watch a few games, and meet a few people, get to know a few of the coaches and some senior players, it’s been a great couple of days. Wonderful bunch of guys, and I helped them out as much as I could,” he said.