Cricket Australia joins the Learn. Earn. Legend! Indigenous Employment campaign

The Australian Government has joined forces with Cricket Australia to promote the Learn. Earn. Legend! message to young Indigenous Australians during the Imparja Cup Cricket Carnival.
Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development and Minister for Sport Mark Arbib said the 2011 sponsorship package, worth $110,000, would be provided through the Government's Indigenous Employment Program.
The Imparja Cup Carnival, being held from 6th to 12th February 2011 in Alice Springs, draws teams from across all states and territories in Australia and gives more than 700 Indigenous Australians the chance to become involved in cricket.
Learn. Earn. Legend! is encouraging young Indigenous people to stay in school or training and move into employment as part of the Government's commitment to Closing the Gap on Indigenous employment.
Senator Arbib said the Imparja Cup was a great opportunity to spread the Learn. Earn. Legend! Message. Stating "we know the best thing all kids can do is get a good education. We know the more education they have, whether that is school, TAFE, an apprenticeship or tertiary studies, the more likely they are to get a good job.
"The aim of our partnership with Cricket Australia is to introduce Indigenous members of the local community, as well as players, coaches, umpires administrators and development officers to opportunities in employment and education."
Cricket Australia General Manager Cricket Michael Brown said the Imparja Cup was an important pathway for Indigenous cricketers both on and off the field, explaining "organised sport like cricket plays an important role in developing skills such as leadership, respect and working in a team environment that can be used on the sporting field and in life.
"There are over 400 players and hundreds of other support staff who have helped to make the Imparja Cup a success over the last 18 years and we are starting to see the results in elite cricket across the country.
"This funding will ensure we can also see employment and education results for many Indigenous people in coming years too."
Senator Arbib said the Government would also provide $77,000 for Central Desert Training to hold an Indigenous Employment Expo to be held during the Imparja Cup, in Alice Springs on 12th February, adding "the Expo will offer employers and other organisations the opportunity to showcase their Indigenous employment vacancies and demonstrate how they can support Indigenous people enter the workforce and maintain their employment."
Senator Arbib said the Carnival and the Expo will build on links with local communities and organisations to encourage and support Indigenous people to make the most of education, training and employment opportunities.
"These events will be carrying upfront the Australian Government's Learn. Earn. Legend! message: stay in school, get that job and be a legend for yourself and your community," Senator Arbib said.
The Australian Government's Learn. Earn. Legend! initiative is part of the Government's commitment to closing the gap on education and employment outcomes.
Senator Arbib said the Cricket Australia was among a growing number of sports supporting the Learn. Earn. Legend! initiative including the NRL, Tennis Australia and the AFL.

http://www.deewr.gov.au/Indigenous/Pages/LearnEarnLegend.aspx