MELBOURNE, 12 November, 2024: For the next three years UNICEF will be Cricket Australia’s (CA) Social Impact Partner. This was announced by Nick Hockley, CEO Cricket Australia, in the presence of UNICEF Australia CEO Tony Stuart, Australian player Kim Garth, Australian Women’s Head Coach Shelley Nitschke and former Australian captain Meg Lanning at the MCG today.
The purpose-led partnership promotes UNICEF Australia’s ‘Until Every Girl Can Play’ campaign, raising awareness for the millions of girls around the world who are denied their most basic rights like education, health, nutrition and access to safety.
The campaign will feature throughout the summer of cricket, including at the CommBank Women’s Ashes Day-Night Test at the MCG where ‘The Appeal Appeal’ will turn every ‘appeal’ into a moment for gender equality.
UNICEF Australia will also receive the proceeds from entry to day five of the NRMA Insurance West Test and Australian players will have opportunities to experience the impact of UNICEF’s work in cricket-loving communities whilst on tour.
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said, “We are extremely proud to partner with UNICEF Australia and are inspired by their ‘Until Every Girl Can Play’ campaign and the work that they do around the world to improve children’s lives.
“We look forward to showcasing this incredible work and urge cricket fans to support by turning every appeal during the CommBank Women’s Ashes Day-Night Test into an appeal for a gender equal future.”
UNICEF Australia CEO Tony Stuart said, “Sport is a powerful force for good, helping to break down barriers, promote participation, change attitudes, and strengthen inclusion.
“While our women’s cricket team have been making history on the pitch for a long time, there are still millions of young girls across the world who are denied the basic rights they are entitled to.
“UNICEF Australia is extremely proud to be partnering with Cricket Australia, to help us deliver our crucial work in gender equality – for millions of girls around the world who can’t make it to the pitch.
“We know cricket fans are passionate and engaged – and protecting the rights of girls will resonate with them, so UNICEF can deliver vital programs that protect and empower girls.”
CA Head of Social Impact and Sustainability, Megan Barnett-Smith said : “In line with our vision to be a sport for all, we know that as a national sporting body we have an important role to raise awareness for gender equality.
“We encourage all fans attending the historic Day-Night Test to make a donation to support the work UNICEF Australia is doing to empower girls in cricket-loving communities around the world.”
