THREE-TIME (2010, 2012 and 2014) champions of the ICC Women’s World T20, Australia, made a stop at the East Ruimveldt Secondary School, as part of the International Cricket Council’s Cricket for Good School and Community Outreach programme.

The ‘Aussie’ women joined Pakistan who visited President’s College, India (West Demerara Secondary School) and New Zealand (Diamond Secondary School) as the countries who have participated in the ICC initiative, which is aimed at leveraging the vast power and reach of cricket to positively impact the lives of children and families worldwide.

This year, the global initiative is being facilitated by Cricket West Indies (CWI) at the three host venues for the 2018 ICC Women’s World T20 and yesterday, the event saw Australia enjoying a dynamic cultural display by the students East Ruimveldt Secondary School.

The women from ‘Down Under’ signed autographs and were even challenged to a game of cricket by the students, who were then handed tickets by the visitors to witness their final game in Guyana against India, on Saturday, November 17.

Amid a seemingly never-ending debate, about what the spirit of cricket actually means, the one thing that is undeniable is that cricket can be a force for good and a vehicle that can be used to raise awareness of issues that might otherwise garner little or no publicity.

In that regard the period 2015-16 saw the ICC use its profile and the profile of its events to publicise significant subject matters that affect people way beyond the boundaries of a cricket ground.

At a global level, Cricket For Good in partnership with UNICEF will collaborate in specific areas of nutrition and child development, water and sanitation hygiene, quality education, empowering adolescents, child protection and child health, all aimed at improving children’s lives.