Cricket Australia has taken a significant step forward in promoting diversity and inclusion with the launch of its Multicultural Ambassador Program in Melbourne. This initiative, stemming from the Australian Cricket Multicultural Action Plan, has appointed 54 individuals from diverse backgrounds across various sectors as inaugural representatives.
The Ambassador Program aims to advocate for inclusivity and drive positive change within both the sport of cricket and the wider community. The list of ambassadors includes a mix of past and current players, industry leaders, and community figures who will champion diversity and support the goals outlined in the Multicultural Action Plan.
Notable figures among the inaugural ambassadors include cricketing icons such as Usman Khawaja, Mel Jones, Wasim Akram, Ravi Shastri, and Lisa Sthalekar, alongside influential leaders like Peter Varghese and Kishwar Chowdhury.
These ambassadors, representing a diverse range of backgrounds including government, business, media, and cricket, will contribute their expertise to drive progress across five key focus areas: Participation, High Performance, People and Representation, Communications and Engagement, and Event and Experience.
Cricket Australia CEO, Nick Hockley, expressed enthusiasm about the program, highlighting its potential to foster a more inclusive cricketing community that reflects contemporary Australian society. The program aims to break down barriers, build trust, and create more opportunities for multicultural engagement in cricket.
Usman Khawaja emphasized the role of cricket as a unifying force that connects communities and promotes understanding and unity. He emphasized the need for greater representation across diverse backgrounds within the sport.
Similarly, Lisa Sthalekar expressed her pride in being part of the Multicultural Ambassador Program, highlighting cricket’s power to unite people from different backgrounds and foster inclusivity.
With ambassadors engaged for an initial two-year period, Cricket Australia aims to address challenges and opportunities related to diversity and inclusion across all levels of the sport. The diverse lineup of ambassadors reflects a broad spectrum of cultural backgrounds, ensuring a comprehensive approach to promoting diversity and inclusion in cricket and society at large.
