Alice Springs stages 2023 Imparja Cup and celebrates 30 year milestone

Indigenous cricketers are heading to Alice Springs to celebrate cricket with the popular Imparja Cup commencing today and running until 24th February. The National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC) are also scheduled for 22nd-28th February.

This year marks 30 years of the Imparja Cup, and the last three decades have seen thousands of indigenous cricketers head to the Red Centre to celebrate cricket, country and culture in the heart of the country.

NT Cricket Chief Executive Gavin Dovey shares “the Imparja Cup is a significant part of cricket in the Territory with a rich history, so we are delighted to be in a position to stage the 2023 event to celebrate the 30-year milestone.

“The Imparja Cup and National Indigenous Cricket Championships are the marquee events to celebrate indigenous cricket, culture and country and we are looking forward to another great event in the spiritual home of Indigenous cricket.”

This year, the competition will include a Major Centres Division, a Men’s Community Division and a Women’s Community Division. The Schools Cup will also return, with students from around the region set to take part.

As a further investment in cricket in the Northern Territory, the week-long event will include a free Community Cricket (Level 1) Coaching accreditation course, to help Territorians along the official pathway.

The NICC returns after a two-year absence due to COVID-19, with teams of talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait players from across Australia competing for national titles in the T20 format.

The Imparja Cup and NICC are supported by the Northern Territory Government through the Northern Territory Major Events Company.

Northern Territory Minister for Major Events, Paul Kirby notes “Three decades of indigenous cricket in the Red Centre is a fantastic achievement, and the Imparja Cup is a great way to recognise and showcase the talents of the Territory’s indigenous cricketers.

“Events like this help Territory players on their way to becoming professional sports stars and with the NICC in town at the same time, we’ll also get to see some of the country’s best players in action, which will further spur on our local players, and provide some great entertainment.”

Dovey added “we’d like to thank Imparja Television, the NT Government, DXC Technology and the Alice Springs Town Council for their ongoing support of this event. We look forward to some great cricket and the coming together of the community.”

To find out more visit www.ntcricket.com.au/imparjacup

Image: Imparja Cup 2021 winners. Credit: NT Cricket