Cricket Fiji Placement

11 October 2012

Cricket Fiji Placement

Cricket Fiji High Performance manager Josefa Rika is nearing the end of a three week placement with Cricket Wellington. The placement, part of the ICC partnership programme between Major Associations and ICC Affiliate Countries, is designed to give Cricket Fiji the opportunity to understand how cricket operates in Wellington and take onboard programmes and initiatives that could be implemented in the Island nation.

Josefa’s visit spans three weeks and during that time he has been involved in the Cricket Awareness Lessons programme in primary schools, observed the Wellington Firebirds, Blaze and club trainings while also tapping into the local knowledge of staff and stakeholders.

Apart from being the coldest place he has ever been to, Rika has enjoyed his time in Wellington. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my stay here, it’s been a pleasure working with the Cricket Wellington staff and I’ve learnt a lot that I can take back to Fiji”.

Aside from work, Rika has enjoyed the Wellington hospitality. He has enjoyed his accommodation at the Cambridge Hotel, become very fond of Trisha’s steak pies and has indulged in a few kava sessions with the local Fijian community.

Cricket Wellington CEO Peter Clinton said that the partnership was an opportunity for his organisation to help develop cricket in a community with different challenges and opportunities than we are exposed to. “For that reason it’s a good opportunity for us as well to self-review what we are doing and to think creatively to assist Cricket Fiji”.

Also in town for a four day visit is Cricket Fiji CEO Sonny Henderson. “It’s a privilege to be associated with a professional organisation like Cricket Wellington” he said. “We’ve definitely seen the benefits of the partnership already and this trip has provided ideas and strategies to implement back in Fiji”.

Rika, who is also the captain of the Fiji National team, heads to Brisbane for a week on Sunday for an ICC East Asia Pacific High Performance camp. When he returns to Fiji his focus will be on implementing programmes to prepare the National Men’s team for an East Asia tournament taking place in Auckland in February 2013, and then the World League Six tournament which is taking place in Samoa in August 2013.

ENDS

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