Helping to develop cricket in Solomon Islands
Ryan Lucas runs one of his session with 230 school children in Solomon Islands.
A passion for cricket and a desire to make a change in the lives of people less fortunate has seen a Monash university student take up a volunteer position in Solomon Islands.
Honours in Education student Ryan Lucas is currently on a 12-month placement in Solomon Islands as a Cricket Development Officer. The role is part of the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development program – an Australian Government initiative that deploys skilled young volunteers to live and work in developing countries as part of the overseas aid program.
“When I graduated with a double degree in Sport and Outdoor Recreation and Education (Secondary) from Monash University last year, I didn't want to jump straight into a teaching career,” Ryan said.
“I wanted to do something that would offer a unique challenge, but would also be rewarding and open up career opportunities for me, so when the opportunity to volunteer for this placement came up I saw it as the perfect role for me.
“I also wanted to volunteer in international development because of the impact that I felt I could make in the lives of people less fortunate than myself. It has also been a great way to challenge my comfort zone.”
With soccer and rugby as the dominant sports, Ryan’s role is to revitalise the sport of cricket in the Solomons.
“There was once a strong cricket league in the Solomons but it has fallen over since the political tensions started on the islands,” Ryan said.
“My role is really about giving young people something constructive to do with their time, as opposed to drinking or taking drugs.”
Ryan works mainly in the local schools, running programs for children who may never have seen the game of cricket before. He also runs community sessions to teach children how to play the game.
To assist Ryan in delivering the cricket program, he has employed two local development staff. This has given them a unique employment opportunity which is difficult to find in a country with high unemployment.
Since arriving in the Solomons, Ryan and his team have worked to secure a major sponsor, organised a delivery of cricket gear from Australia through Cricket4Kids and introduced the game of cricket to almost 1500 local children.
“I am really enjoying my time here; I hope that by the time I leave there is a strong and vibrant cricket league that will continue to provide the local children with an enjoyable activity,” Ryan said.
Ryan’s passion for the sport of cricket as also seen him take on the role of the secretary of the Solomon Islands Cricket Association, making him responsible for much of the administration for the sport on the islands.
Ryan will study the sustainable development of cricket in the Solomon Islands as part of his Honours course.