Monday 25th July, 2011 Digicel Vanuatu hosted a Children’s Day Cricket Carnival with players from the national Vanuatu Cricket team and members of the Vanuatu Cricket Association.

Over one hundred children of all races came to Independence Park in the capital Port Vila to play fun, cricket skill-building games. In the morning, the children received a motivational talk from the General Manager of the Vanuatu Cricket Association. They were then assigned to five different teams. Over the course of the day, these five teams rotated around five skill-specific bases which were manned by players from the national Vanuatu Cricket team. Each child was given the special opportunity to bat against team Captain Andrew Mansale!

After the games, all of the children took turns coming up to the snack and refreshment table which was covered in a bright, Digicel-red tablecloth. Even the littlest children were served cordial and had a chance to choose from an assortment of cookies and chips. Some children enjoyed the refreshments and snacks so much that they had red-tinted lips and cookie-crumbed cheeks!

As two Digicel staff walked amongst the children offering extra cookies and chips, a prize-giving ceremony was held. Prizes were first given to the best bowlers and batters in each school grade – from Kindergarten to Year 10. Children from each grade stood up in front of their peers to accept their prizes of Digicel-branded bags, lanyards, and water bottles from another two Digicel staff. To ensure that no child went home empty handed, extra Digicel-branded merchandise was given out for good sportsmanship. Every single child who attended the Children’s Day Cricket Carnival received a prize from Digicel.

Digicel Vanuatu has sponsored the Vanuatu Cricket Association since 2008. This sponsorship encompasses the national Vanuatu Cricket team and the Cricket Development Program for young athletes.