MCC Foundation welcomes NICC return to Alice Springs

Cricket, culture and connection - the essence of the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) Foundation’s partnership with Cricket Australia’s National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC) - was on full display during the recent Championships held on Arrernte Country in Mparntwe (Alice Springs).

Through the NICC, the MCC Foundation is proud to help support further pathways and greater opportunities for some of Australia’s most promising female and male cricketers from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.

In addition to the cultural elements, the tournament is a significant career highlight for many first nations cricketers, offering an opportunity to test their skills against some of Australia’s brightest cricketing talent.

The 2024 event was held from February 22-27 and saw New South Wales take out the women’s division defeating Queensland by 42 runs, while in the men’s final Western Australia (WA) claimed a five-wicket win against New South Wales. This was WA’s fourth NICC title, nine years after their first taste of victory.

In a special MCC synergy, MCC Women's First XI all-rounder and proud Jawoyn woman Ella Hayward represented Victoria in the 2024 event. Ella’s strong performance saw her selected in the National Indigenous Cricket Championships Women’s Team of the tournament – an outstanding achievement to sit alongside her critical contribution to the MCC side over the summer.

In addition to being the official inclusion partner of the NICC, the MCC Foundation also hosts an annual MCG training camp for the best players from both the men’s and women’s Championships.

Brock Larance, who played for WA and was named both Player of the Finals and Player of the Series, was one of the cricketers selected to take part in the first MCG training camp held in 2023. During this experience he spoke of the cherished opportunity to train and play on the hallowed turf of the MCG and the example he wanted to set for younger players with similar aspirations.

Last year’s training camp was a unique experience for many cricketers who had never been to the MCG, providing them with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the ground’s history – an invaluable experience at the birthplace of Test cricket and home to some of Australia’s most celebrated sporting moments.

The MCC Foundation looks forward to welcoming players to the ‘G later this year for what is sure to be another incredible experience for all involved.