SA Footy

Could cricket help flood victims?
By ROB McLean

The rain effected Sydney Ashes Test has again revealed the havoc that can be played on a match schedule when the weather intervenes, but that is nothing compared to the pain being experienced by residents of regional Queensland who have been inundated by rising floodwaters in recent weeks.
They say sport is a great healer and just maybe, just maybe, cricket could play a part in the long road to recovery faced by these people who have had their homes, businesses and lives washed away by a flood of biblical proportions.
As offers of aid roll in from mining organisations, as an example, and even from overseas governments, maybe Cricket Australia could play its part in the recovery.
Australia's biggest summer sport is just rolling into the busiest part of its domestic season with the Big Bash T20 carnival having kicked off on Sunday.
The Big Bash has been a major drawcard in recent years, giving domestic cricket a profile that it hasn't had since the 1970s (and that's at a stretch).
Thousands of cricket mad fans are flocking to these matches, so wouldn't it be nice if (with the high drawing Ashes series all but over) Cricket Australia used this tournament as an avenue to raise funds for the victims of the big floods?
I'm sure proud Queenslander Matthew Hayden, who hails from peanut growing Kingaroy (located very close to the rising waters), would be happy to be the ambassador for such a cause.
Maybe, even with co-ordination from Cricket Australia, cricket competitions from first class level down to the humblest of country associations across the nation could pick a weekend in January to raise funds for this cause.
Although the people of Bundaberg are thinking about more important things than cricket, the show must go on and once the sport emerges from its Christmas slumber locally, it seems an annual under 15 development carnival, featuring teams from across the state, is set to go ahead next week.
Play will take place at the city's major cricket venue, Salter Oval, in what is a fantastic against the odds achievement.
Australians at all levels are very good at giving to those who need it when the chips are down and after the abysmal summer our cricketers have had in the Test arena, this may be a way of garnering something positive out of a season of horrors.
Far be it for me to direct Cricket Australia as to how it should be contributing positively to our society but this seems a pretty good way to harness the vast cascades of money that can now be found in our greatest summer game.
Does anyone have James Sutherland's phone number?

MEDIA RELEASE
5 January 2011

Australian Cricket to bat for Qld flood relief

Cricket Australia and its partners will call on all Australians to show their support for those affected by the floods in Queensland during the coming Commonwealth Bank One-Day International Series.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland today said the match against England to be played at the Gabba on 30 January is to be dedicated to raising funds for the Queensland Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal. The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, was also on hand to lend her support to the event while at the SCG today for Jane McGrath Day.

“We have all seen the devastation of the floods and feel for those affected in many communities in Queensland and New South Wales,” Sutherland said.

“Australian cricket has many friends in the affected regions so it is only fair that we do our bit to help. Through this match we hope all Australians can get behind the appeal and raise much needed funds.

“Australian cricket fans have a strong tradition of supporting communities at a time of need having helped to raise funding for the Boxing Day Tsunami relief, Haiti Earthquake victims and the Victorian Bushfire appeal in recent years. This is a natural disaster of a completely different kind but the effects on communities will be just as severe and long lasting.”

Cricket Australia’s partners, Channel 9 and the Commonwealth Bank, have already activated programs to support the flood relief with the Commonwealth Bank having pledged $1 million and Channel 9 will be holding a telethon this Sunday to help raise funding for the relief efforts.

The Australian and England players will also throw their support behind the match with more detail of the fund raising activities to be released closer to January 30.

Those who want to make a contribution to the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal before the one-day International on January 30 can do so by phone on 1800 219 028 or visit the appeal website, http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/

-ends-

For further information contact:
Peter Young – General Manager Public Affairs, Cricket Australia

Nice one Cricket Australia. Good stuff.