Papua New Guinea Lewas captain Brenda Tau has described the PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational as a celebration of unity, culture, and the empowerment of women through sport across the Pacific.
Tau extended heartfelt gratitude to the Australian Government, Cricket Australia, the Australian High Commission, PacificAus Sports, Cricket PNG, and all tournament organisers for their tireless efforts in making the week-long event a resounding success.
“On behalf of the PNG Lewas, I want to sincerely thank the Australian Government, Cricket Australia, Australian High Commission, PacificAus Sports, Cricket PNG, and all the wonderful organizer’s for making this tournament a special event,” said Tau.
She also acknowledged His Excellency Mr. Ewen McDonald, Australia’s High Commissioner and Special Envoy for the Pacific and Regional Affairs, for hosting the closing reception and for his ongoing commitment to supporting women’s sport in the region.
Tau praised the Invitational as “more than just cricket,” emphasizing its deeper impact on building bridges across cultures and communities.
“We are proud to stand alongside our sisters from Samoa, Vanuatu, and the Australian Aptos (Body) Indigenous team but not just as athletes, but as ambassadors for women’s sport. This Invitational is about connection, culture, and creating lasting bonds.”
The tournament featured national teams from Australia (Indigenous XI), Samoa, Vanuatu, and PNG, showcasing both rising talent and experienced cricketers. The initiative was widely commended for promoting gender equality and creating more inclusive sporting pathways in the Pacific.
Reflecting on the tournament, Tau highlighted her most cherished moment:
“My best memory was the second-round game against the Australian Indigenous team, which we won. After losing to them in the first match, we came back stronger, learning from that defeat with the support of our coaches. It was all about teamwork, belief, and unity. That victory is one I will always cherish in my cricketing career — we beat one of the strongest sides in the tournament, and I’m incredibly proud of our performance.”
Tau added that the experience gained throughout the Invitational was a valuable steppingstone for the Lewas as they prepare for upcoming international competitions.
“This gives us a great opportunity to put our skills into action. Our next challenge is the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier, which will be held in Fiji this September. It’s been inspiring to see our younger players step up and learn from the senior players. Tournaments like this really give us that much-needed boost.”
Then she concluded her remarks with a message of gratitude to her fellow players:
“To the other participating teams, it’s been a joy to compete and share this journey with you. May the friendships we’ve made go beyond the scorecard. Taniku Badaherea “and thank you.”
The PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational continues to be recognized as a groundbreaking initiative in the development of women’s cricket and inclusive sports across the Pacific region.