The President of Australian Defence Force (ADF) Cricket has encouraged participants to build a ‘Pacific CommUNITY through cricket’ at the inaugural Pacific Island Cricket Challenge 2023.

Air Commodore Grant Pinder threw open the challenge as Australian Defence Force Cricket and Cricket Fiji co-organised and co-hosted the Pacific Island Cricket Challenge 2023 which will be held in Suva, Fiji, with participation from Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Cook Islands, Australia and New Zealand.

According to a written statement issued on Friday by the Australian Department of Defence, the Pacific Island Cricket Challenge 2023 includes a Skills Development Program and a T20 tournament. The skills and development program ran from 5-9 March this week, while the T20 tournament commences on Saturday 11 March, with the finals next Saturday 18 March.

The inaugural Pacific Island Cricket Challenge provides an opportunity to bring people together from across the Pacific region to compete and build friendships on and off the sporting field.

“Defence continues to support Pacific sports initiatives, which strengthen bonds with our Pacific family, through collaboration and our shared commitment to a thriving region," Air Commodore Pinder said.

"Through PICC23, Defence is building stronger and deeper personal links with Pacific partners.

“Defence and our Pacific neighbours share a vision for an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region that can only be realised if we maintain constant and meaningful two-way engagement across a wide variety of activities, including sport.

“Sport is a universal language and plays a unique role in showcasing the cultural identity and values of all Pacific people.

“The shared sporting interests of our Australian Defence Force personnel and the Pacific family helps to build enduring friendships on and off the sporting field.

“We wish the competitors the best of luck in what promises to be an exciting tournament for participants and spectators alike.”