16 September 2019 Apia Samoa. Cricket enthusiasts gathered at the Tuanaimato Cricket fields last Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the opening of the annual Healthy Nanas Program, a 15-week cricket initiative delivered through the Australian Government’s flagship sport for development program, the Pacific Sports Partnership Program.
In her keynote address at the event, the Australian High Commission Charge d’Affaires Ms Amanda Jewell said, “Australia and Samoa share a common love of sport, as shown by today’s attendance and the program’s participation,”
“We are pleased that the Healthy Nanas Program seeks to ensure the active input of women in cricket to address the major risk factors of Non Communicable Disease—a proactive approach to saving lives,”
“In its second year, the program has shown to be a great vehicle to achieve outcomes in health, social cohesion and gender equality,” she said.
Ms Jewell shed light on the themes of gender equality and women’s empowerment, demonstrated through sport, which are at the heart of Australia’s aid program and regional engagement.
“We can all see how sport supports the equality of women and girls through highlighting achievement and challenging traditional perceptions of what women can do. And the Healthy Nana teams playing today are a prime example,” Ms Jewell said.
“We believe that sport, in particular cricket, can make a real difference to the lives of people within our communities, and as a flow-on effect, around our country, and the world,”
“Sport can inspire people to action, and I hope that the Healthy Nana Program inspires you all to keep active and live a healthy life style,”
“I congratulate the Samoa International Cricket Association for working collaboratively with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, National University of Samoa, Ministry of Women, Communication and Social Development, Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa and the village councils in bringing this program to life,” Ms Jewell concluded.
