Cricket and community celebrated on Cup day
CRICKET: Maranoa Hurricanes and Warrego Tornadoes will be out to successfully defend their titles when the 2018 Western Rivers Cup is decided today.
The tournament is South West Queensland’s only Indigenous cricket carnival with the Western Rivers Cup model a joint initiative of the South West Indigenous Network (SWIN) and Queensland Cricket.
Today’s carnival features eight men’s teams and six women’s teams meeting at Captain Cook Reserve from 8am to decide this year’s champions.
The cup format is eightplayer-a-side teams playing eight-overs-a-side games.
But the day offers more than competitive play and a valuable pathway for emerging Indigenous cricket talent.
It is also about players, families and supporters coming together to celebrate sport, culture and community.
Canteen facilities will be available during the day which includes rides for children and cricket activities organised by Queensland Cricket.
Men’s teams set to line up include Maranoa, Paroo, Fitzroy, Bulloo, Dawson, Brisbane, Balonne and Condamine.
Women’s teams are Warrego, Maranoa, Brisbane, Balonne, Paroo and Moonie.
Western Rivers Cup coordinator and Hurricanes’ captain Kieren Gibbs said the cup carnival was a multipurpose day of competition and friendship.
“Cricket-wise it helps provide a pathway to a higher level for some of our players while others can take their experiences back to their towns where they can help strengthen cricket,” Gibbs said.
The carnival has already unearthed a number of Imparja Cup representatives.
Warrego captain Liz Wilson said the Tornadoes were hoping to retain their 2017 trophy but the day’s emphasis was all about participation.
“The Western Rivers Cup women’s competition is in its third year now and it’s about families and friends having fun as much as anything,” Wilson said. “It’s also a good way to help SWIN in their promotion of women’s involvement in cricket.”
Today’s men’s final is expected to start about 3.30pm with the women’s final about 1.30pm.