"We're playing for more than just a team": Indigenous women's cricket team shines in PNG
The Australian Indigenous Women's Cricket Team remains undefeated in the PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational, proudly showcasing not only their sporting skills but cultural pride on the international stage in Papua New Guinea. Led by Kaurareg captain Christina Coulson, the squad is halfway through a T20 series in Port Moresby, facing off against teams from PNG, Vanuatu and Samoa.
Despite the unfamiliar pitch conditions, the side has adapted quickly and with confidence, securing wins against all three opponents in their opening matches. 'We're not just representing Australia – we're representing our culture,' Coulson said. 'Every time we step onto the field, we carry that with us.' While Coulson has previously led the team in high-profile matches at the MCG, this tour marks a new chapter in her leadership journey. 'It's an absolute privilege,' she said.
'I'm still learning, but I've got some incredible players beside me who I can lean on.' The squad features several contracted players from across the country, including Ella Hayward (Victoria), Mikayla Hinkley (WA/Perth Scorchers), Anika Learoyd (NSW/Sydney Thunder), and Emma Manix-Geeves (Tasmania/Hobart Hurricanes). Learoyd made her debut earlier in the series, while young Western Australian talent Elsie Simpson is on her first tour with the team. Coulson noted the importance of connection off the field as much as on it. 'Sharing our stories and learning from each other helps us play better together,' she said. 'It's something we prioritise as a group.'
That connection goes beyond cricket. Allrounder Clodagh Ryall and her siblings created artwork that will be gifted to other teams during a cultural exchange later in the week. Assistant coach Hannah Darlington, who captained the team during last year's tour of Vanuatu, has returned in a mentoring role. Many of the players also starred in this year's National Indigenous Cricket Championships, an important platform for rising talent.
The current tour, supported by PacificAus Sports, is not only about competition but visibility. Coulson highlighted how crucial it is for young First Nations kids to see Blak athletes on a world stage. 'You can't be what you can't see,' she said. 'This tour shows there's a pathway, and that cricket is a space where we belong.' The team will face each of their three opponents again in the coming days, continuing their strong run with PNG on Thursday, followed by Samoa on Friday and Vanuatu on Saturday.
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"We're playing for more than just a team": Indigenous women's cricket team shines in PNG
The Australian Indigenous Women's Cricket Team remains undefeated in the PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational, proudly showcasing not only their sporting skills but cultural pride on the international stage in Papua New Guinea. Led by Kaurareg captain Christina Coulson, the squad is halfway through a T20 series in Port Moresby, facing off against teams from PNG, Vanuatu and Samoa. Despite the unfamiliar pitch conditions, the side has adapted quickly and with confidence, securing wins against all three opponents in their opening matches. 'We're not just representing Australia – we're representing our culture,' Coulson said. 'Every time we step onto the field, we carry that with us.' While Coulson has previously led the team in high-profile matches at the MCG, this tour marks a new chapter in her leadership journey. 'It's an absolute privilege,' she said. 'I'm still learning, but I've got some incredible players beside me who I can lean on.' The squad features several contracted players from across the country, including Ella Hayward (Victoria), Mikayla Hinkley (WA/Perth Scorchers), Anika Learoyd (NSW/Sydney Thunder), and Emma Manix-Geeves (Tasmania/Hobart Hurricanes). Learoyd made her debut earlier in the series, while young Western Australian talent Elsie Simpson is on her first tour with the team. Coulson noted the importance of connection off the field as much as on it. 'Sharing our stories and learning from each other helps us play better together,' she said. 'It's something we prioritise as a group.' That connection goes beyond cricket. Allrounder Clodagh Ryall and her siblings created artwork that will be gifted to other teams during a cultural exchange later in the week. Assistant coach Hannah Darlington, who captained the team during last year's tour of Vanuatu, has returned in a mentoring role. Many of the players also starred in this year's National Indigenous Cricket Championships, an important platform for rising talent. The current tour, supported by PacificAus Sports, is not only about competition but visibility. Coulson highlighted how crucial it is for young First Nations kids to see Blak athletes on a world stage. 'You can't be what you can't see,' she said. 'This tour shows there's a pathway, and that cricket is a space where we belong.' The team will face each of their three opponents again in the coming days, continuing their strong run with PNG on Thursday, followed by Samoa on Friday and Vanuatu on Saturday.
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