Three NSW Indigenous cricketers have been named as part of the Australian Indigenous Women's Squad that will play at the inaugural PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational, which will be held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, from June 15-21, 2025.
NSW Trio Named for Indigenous Squad
Callee Black, Anika Learoyd and Maddison Spence have been named in the squad that will play in the tournament which will also feature teams from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa. In addition, NSW Breaker Hannah Darlington has been named assistant coach.
The T20 tournament is supported through the Australian Government's PacificAus Sports program, which creates opportunities for Pacific athletes, coaches, officials and administrators to access high performance training and elite competition. The Invitational will be played in Papua New Guinea as part of the celebration of the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence.
Cricket Australia CEO, Todd Greenberg said:
“We are proud to announce the inaugural PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational. It provides an exciting platform for competition, strengthening the sporting ties between Australia and the Pacific region.
“Facing teams from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Samoa, this tournament will showcase high-performance cricket while continuing to strengthen shared cultural connections.
“The Australian Women’s Indigenous squad brings together skill, determination, and a proud legacy of Indigenous cricket, and we look forward to seeing them perform at their best in PNG.
‘We highly value our partnership with the Australian Government to deliver the PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational and would like to acknowledge and thank Cricket Papua New Guinea for hosting the event.”
Participation in this international competition also delivers on a key commitment Cricket Australia has made under its Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (2024-2027).
Australian Indigenous Women’s Squad
Christina Coulson (c) – Kaurareg (QLD)
Grace Abdy - Waanyi & Ganggalida (QLD)
Callee Black – Wiradjuri (NSW)
Dharmini Chauhan – Wiradjuri (QLD)
Ella Hayward – Jawoyn (VIC)
Mikayla Hinkley – Kunja (WA)
Veronica Keen – Badimaya (WA)
Anika Learoyd – Gumbaynggirr (NSW)
Emma Manix-Geeves – Palawa (TAS)
Tahlia Meier - Wamba Wamba (VIC)
Clodagh Ryall – Kaurareg (QLD)
Elsie Simpson – Kurnai (WA)
Maddison Spence – Wiradjuri (NSW)
Charlotte Toohey (WA)
Head Coach: Alex Stewart - Palawa
Assistant Coach: Hannah Darlington - Kamilaroi