BSP initiative churning out cricket stars

**Lewas wicketkeeper Brenda Tau was identified through the Bank South Pacific Financial Group Limited School Kriket programme.**

BANK South Pacific Financial Group Limited (BSP) School Kriket has been a successful community sports programme operating throughout PNG and is in its 12th year.
The cricket programme has won multiple international and domestic awards, and has again been recognised with its nomination for the new Stan Joyce Award at this year’s SP Sports Awards.
It has grown substantially since its inception and has now surpassed 1.5 million participants which is an outstanding result.
It provides employment for about 60 Cricket Papua New Guinea (CPNG) staff and has been used as a blueprint for other entry level programmes now in use around the associate cricket world.

**Barramundis’ Kipling Doriga in action against the Netherlands.**

It has been a breeding ground for producing PNG internationals with many receiving their introduction to cricket through BSP School Kriket as children.
“The last two Under-19 Garamut (junior representative) teams have had all squad members pass through the BSP programme,” CPNG general manager Lee McDowell said in a statement yesterday.
“So in the years to come, this 100 per cent participation rate may equate to our men’s (Barramundis) and women’s (Lewas) teams.”
There are many in the national senior sides, one of whom is Barramundis keeper-batsman Kipling Doriga, who participated in the BSP School Kriket in 2010.
“I was only 11 years old, and I remember enjoying the BSP School Kriket programme,” he said.

**PNG Barramundis keeper-batsman Kipling Doriga in action against Nepal during their World Cup qualifiers playoff match at Old Hararians in Zimbabwe in 2018.**

“We had former national players like John Ovia (now Barramundis assistant coach), Norma Ovasuru and Jacob Mado visit our Butuka Primary School as development officers.
“They taught me all the basic skills of batting, bowling and fielding as well as the rules.
“I loved playing in the blast competitions at the end of the term, I always got picked and enjoyed the team atmosphere.

**Papua New Guinea Lewas wicketkeeper Brenda Tau in action against Scotland during the Women’s World T20 qualifier at Utrecht in the Netherlands in 2018. – ICCpics**

“This is where I dreamt of playing for PNG and thankfully it came true.
“I would like to thank BSP
“I hope to see my children playing in a BSP (School Kriket) Blast in the future.”
The School Kriket Blast is a one-day fun cricket carnival that CPNG’s game development officials host to reward students for taking part in the programme.
Another PNG international is Lewas keeper-batswoman Brenda Tau.

**Lewas’ Brenda Tau praised the programme for helping her become passionate about cricket.**

Her introduction to BSP School Kriket was as a 12-year-old at Lae Primary School.
“The programme taught me the fundamentals of cricket and encouraged me to want to play club cricket on the weekends,” Tau said.
“I was identified there by CPNG national talent identification manager and former Barramundi Rodney Maha, and my journey to becoming a Lewa had begun.
“I would not be where I am today without BSP School Kriket.
“I’m now a professional cricketer representing my country.
“I have realised my dream, made lifelong friends and cherished memories from being a shy Lae Primary School girl to being a leader in the PNG Lewas, playing cricket all over the world.”
The programme continues in schools and is one of the longest-running sponsorship initiative in community development and sports in PNG.