SP hosts beach cricket with Sailor, Hunters and national sides

By PARKER TAMBUA
SOUTH Pacific Brewery hosted its first beach cricket event with Australian National Rugby League legend Wendell Sailor officiating as an ambassador at Ela Beach in Port Moresby yesterday.
The event was part of the company’s community engagement obligations which saw players and coaching staff of the SP Hunters and national cricket teams (Barramundis and Lewas) compete in beach cricket.
Brewery marketing manager Lawrence Acanufa said the company had supported rugby league and cricket for years and they wanted to use the event to get national teams engaging with communities.
“SP is the biggest supporter of rugby league and cricket,” he said.
“That’s why we are getting the Hunters, Lewas and Barramundis to engage with people through such events.
“We are also using this to build on the hype surrounding the Barramundis after their maiden qualification for next year’s T20 World Cup (in Australia).
“The Lewas are involved as well, we try to promote women in sports.
“It’s good to use the Lewas as role models for women out there.”
Former Queensland Maroons and Australian Kangaroos winger Sailor said being a cricket fan himself, he was excited to support the programme despite making his name in rugby league.
“I use to play cricket as a child,” the former Brisbane Broncos and St George Illawarra Dragons star said.
“I follow cricket too and SP wanted me to come to PNG and promote this event and I’m excited to be part of it.
“It’s good that the Hunters, Cricket PNG and SP have taken such initiative in engaging with people and promoting women in sports.”
New Hunters head coach Mathew Church also attended the event with bulk of his squad.