Wickets were bowled over and balls hit for six when two teams of Clontarf boys stepped up to the crease during the annual Imparja Cup cricket competition in Alice Springs, NT.
The four-day carnival, which is designed to increase the awareness of cricket among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and attracts teams from across the country is a popular event on the NT Clontarf calendar. 2021 was no different with two teams – one composed of Clontarf alumni, and the other made up of Year 10 boys from Centralian Senior and Yirara academies – representing the Foundation with pride.
Following a successful Imparja campaign in 2020, the alumni team attracted 14 Clontarf graduates, some from as far back as 2008, to compete in the Men’s Community Division. The team again performed well, winning three of their five games.
Centralian Senior alumni Shane McAuliffe and Leroy Turner were both acknowledged for their superb play and respectful sportsmanship by being named in the Men’s Community Squad of the Week.
But it wasn’t just the old boys having fun.
The young men from Centralian Senior and Yirara academies were just as impressive, making up for lack of cricket experience with effort and enthusiasm during what was a hot, and at times gruelling four days of action.
“The highlight of the event was being able to take part in the competition’s first ever ‘Super Over’ during our game against Saint Joseph’s,” said David Thomas, Operations Officer at Centralian Senior Academy.
“Scores were tied at the end of each innings which forced a do-or-die over. We ultimately came up just short, but it didn’t matter because the boys were excited to compete against a more experienced side and were just having fun, which is what the whole competition is about.”
Both teams were well supported by friends, family and the community throughout the entire competition.
Congratulations to all boys, young and old, for battling through the heat and representing Clontarf in fine fashion.
