The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars took some time out of their training schedule during the ICC WT20 to visit the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind in Colombo.
The visit was organised by the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind and the Australian High Commission in Colombo.
Captain Jodie Fields, team members Alex Blackwell, Lauren Ebsary, Jess Cameron, Nicola Carey, Ellyse Perry, Jess Jonassen and Julie Hunter spent the afternoon conducting a coaching clinic for the children at the school and played a friendly match.
More than three hundred children came along to meet the ICC Women’s World T20 defending champions.
Fields said it was great to be able to take a break from training and meet some of the local children.
“Cricket is such a huge part of life here in Sri Lanka and to be able to share some our skills and stories with these kids is just fantastic," she said.
“This school is a great example of the fact that cricket shows no boundaries and anyone can get out and play, the children here are all an inspiration."
Australian High Commissioner, HE Ms Robyn Mudie, said the day was inspiring.
“Among the many links Australia and Sri Lanka share, cricket is one of the highlights," she said.
"As a keen supporter of women in sport, it’s great to see our team get together with another inspiring group – the kids from the School for the Deaf and Blind.”
The Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind provides education, vocational training, food and lodging, healthcare, and recreational facilities for around 400 children. A registered charity, it provides these services free of charge. Established 100 years ago, it was the first school of its kind in Sri Lanka.
The Australian High Commission supported the School for the Deaf and Blind to completely overhaul its kitchen facilities in early 2012 under the Australian Government’s Direct Aid Program, which assists local organisations seeking to reduce poverty in their communities.
The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars are supported by the Australian Government’s Women in Sport Media Grant program, which is designed to increase the profile of women’s sport through increased media coverage.
The team are in Colombo ahead of their semi-final match-up against West Indies on Friday.
First Posted 04 October, 2012 4:31PM AEDT
