Combined release from the Tonga Cricket Association (TCA) & International Cricket Council (ICC) East – Asia Pacific Development Region

The above organisations are delighted to today announce that is has been approved for Tonga cricket to establish its first-ever cricket practice nets facility. This will be located outdoors within the Atele Indoor Stadium complex area in Central Tongatapu and construction is expected to commence as a matter of priority.

This facility provision has been made possible via the assistance of the ICC Development Program which has formed a strong partnership with Tonga cricket, an ICC Affiliate Member. Since the establishment of the Program just over two years ago, within the East Asia – Pacific Region, Tonga has been one of the leaders in forming an active partnership with the ICC. As examples, the ICC Development Program has significantly contributed financially and otherwise towards the following positive Tonga Cricket Association initiatives:

• The staging of coach education courses and clinics
• International Tours
• Placements at the Australian Cricket Academy
• The supply of Kanga Cricket kits for junior programs
• The supply of senior cricket equipment
• The provision of elite training
• The supply of general cricket resources and promotional material
• Participation in the inaugural ICC Pacifica Cricket Championships in which
• Tonga finished 4th out of 8 – the highest placed of the 4 Affiliate Members who competed.

Cricket In Tonga Photo © ICC

TCA President, Siale Puloka, said "This is an exciting time for Tonga cricket. This practice facility will be a feature of our sport in this country and provide an excellent training base for not only our National squad but also every cricketer at both senior and junior levels throughout Tonga.

"In the near future we hope to obtain additional cricket equipment for both our Club competition and junior programs as well a bowling machine for our National squad so that they can practice at the highest level. Within the next twelve months, the TCA aims to appoint its first-ever Development Officer and plans are in place in this regard," he concluded.

ICC East – Asia Pacific Development Manager, Matthew Kennedy, recently visited Tonga for the first time and inspected current and potential playing facilities at all of Haamonga, Kolonga, Talafoou, Hoi, Tupou College, Tokomololo and Apifou College. He said, "The support levels recently provided to Tonga from the ICC Development Program are quite significant and we are confident that all these initiatives will provide long-term benefits. The TCA should be congratulated for its pro-activity and we are delighted to be able to assist in the establishment of this professional practice facility."

As a very new ICC Affiliate Member (June 2000), Tonga has successfully laid the initial groundwork for cricket progress to be made. With the 2000/01 season coming to an end, as in many countries, the challenge now is to ensure that all of Tonga cricket's plans and activities, with ICC support, enable a process of continuous and meaningful progression to be achieved within both immediate and long-term development visions for the game at all levels. This will require on-going and professional planning, activity and administration as well as enthusiasm, commitment and contribution from all relevant stakeholders, including cricket Bodies, administrators, volunteers, umpires, scorers, players, sponsors, government, schools, parents, facility owners/operators etc.

For more information about cricket in Tonga and the above initiatives, please contact TCA President, Siale Puloka, Ph. +676 25 888, Fax +676 23 671, E-mail Siale Puloka

For more information about the ICC Development Program and this Region, supported by the Australian Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket, please contact ICC East Asia – Pacific Development Manager, Matthew Kennedy, Ph. +61 3 9653 9921 or +61 (0)409 218 883, Fax +61 3 9653 9911, E-mail Matthew Kennedy

© ICC