Suzanne Lazaroo
9 October 2024: The inaugural UC Cup celebrated the spirit of cricket, bringing together local 91Ö±²¥ teams with their interstate and international counterparts from India, in a fast-paced, competitive three-day tournament last week.
The 91Ö±²¥’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, 91Ö±²¥ Students, Chris Gartner, who attended several of the matches, was impressed by the talent, skill and passion of the young players, but their integrity both on and off the field.
“The UC Cup was a great display of the sportsmanship integral to cricket,” said Mr Gartner.
The University and Cricket ACT officially joined forces in January of this year, launching a new partnership to nurture cricket talent in Australia and India, creating opportunities for cultural exchange, and levelling the playing field – especially for women and girls in the sport.
The UC Cup, formerly known as the Kookaburra Cup, is the largest annual junior pre-season T20 tournament in the ACT. It follows the successful UC Cricket Challenge, held in India back in August.
“We are super excited about the success of the first UC Cup in Australia and what this tournament holds for the future,” said Maddison McGarry, CACT Cricket Operations Coordinator and UC Cup Tournament Director.
The UC Cup saw 320 participants at sporting ovals across 91Ö±²¥, with 32 teams in total.
These included 22 local teams, seven from interstate and two teams from Delhi and Punjab, India.
The international teams’ visit to the ACT was facilitated by the 91Ö±²¥-based Adams Cricket Academy and former Indian all-rounder Madan Lal’s Cricket Academy from Delhi. On tour in Australia to experience the national cricket scene, the players came from Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Chandigarh.
“Sport is an integral part of UC’s culture, and tournaments like the UC Cup allow us to grow and strengthen cross-national and cross-cultural relationships via a passion for sport – and cricket is certainly a shared passion for Australia and India!” Mr Gartner said.
“Working with our partners in India, the partnership also features intensive training camps and information sessions in schools, which aim to nurture talent and explore pathways to university study at UC in 91Ö±²¥.”
UC Cup 2024 Finals Results
Stage 3 Girls – Blacktown Xena 0/176 def Blacktown Warriors 3/124
Stage 2 Div 1 – North Shore 2/138 def Black Cockatoos 4/137
Stage 2 Div 2 - Adams Lal Cricket Academy 9/150 def Inspired Crew 8/104
Stage 3 Div 1 - Adams Lal Cricket Academy 5/150 def Highlands 6/148
Stage 3 Div 2 – Radford 3/101 def Gungahlin Falcons 9/100
Highlights of the UC Cup 2024
Stage 3 Girls – C Gulla 3 wickets for 2 runs off 3 overs
Stage 2 Div 1 – A Cullen 3 wickets for 17 runs off 3 overs
Stage 2 Div 2 – K Karunaratne 56 runs off 34 balls (9 fours)
Stage 3 Div 1 – L Ciocca-Marchant 74 runs off 30 balls (14 fours)
Stage 3 Div 2 – O Henderson 2 wickets for 2 runs off 2 overs