Cricket Australia is proud to announce Kalamunda Cricket Club and Blind Sports WA as the winners of the 2025–26 Community Cricket Partnership of the Year Award, recognising an outstanding collaboration that has harnessed the power of cricket to deliver meaningful, inclusive community impact.
Award Winners: Kalamunda Cricket Club & Blind Sports WA (WA)
Kalamunda Cricket Club’s partnership with Blind Sports WA was recognised for the delivery of NET24—a 24‑hour, non‑stop cricket fundraising marathon that exemplifies how community cricket can drive social change. Entirely club‑led and volunteer‑driven, NET24 has grown into one of the most ambitious and inclusive initiatives in Australian community cricket.
Building on the momentum of previous events—raising $6,000 for the Starlight Foundation in 2023 and more than $20,000 for Rebound WA in 2024—the 2026 partnership with Blind Sports WA marked the largest and most inclusive iteration of NET24 to date. The initiative aims to raise $60,000 to fund a dedicated minibus, enabling people with vision loss across Western Australia to access training, competition and community sport.
For the first time, NET24 expanded into a whole‑of‑club initiative, bringing together participants from multiple junior age groups alongside senior men’s and women’s teams. This inclusive approach reinforced Kalamunda Cricket Club’s commitment to shared purpose, connection and participation across all pathways.
Guided by the longstanding NET24 motto—“Cricket around the clock to give kids a shot”—the partnership aligns closely with shared values of inclusion, accessibility and community connection. Blind Sports WA worked alongside the club to shape the purpose of the event, share lived experiences of people with vision loss, and engage directly with players of all ages. The initiative also created meaningful connections between junior players, senior role models, Blind Sports WA participants—including athletes from the blind cricket team The Venetians—and the wider community of families, volunteers and supporters.
The partnership attracted more than 20 local businesses and community organisations as sponsors, reflecting strong community buy‑in. Junior players played a key advocacy role by promoting NET24 through school assemblies, peer networks and community engagement—developing leadership skills while contributing to a cause greater than the game.
NET24 has significantly raised the profile of cricket by showcasing it as inclusive, values‑driven and capable of delivering powerful social outcomes. The initiative has received coverage across Channel 9, The West Australian, WA Cricket and BackChat Studios, and was formally recognised in the Western Australian Parliament. Dedicated social media channels have further amplified its reach and sustained engagement year‑round.
For Kalamunda Cricket Club, NET24 has become a defining part of its identity—strengthening volunteer engagement, deepening community partnerships and embedding a culture where giving back is central to the club’s purpose.
Highly Commended:
Waratah Mayfield District Cricket Club & University of Newcastle Cricket Club (NSW)
The judging panel also extends high commendation to the partnership between Waratah Mayfield District Cricket Club and University of Newcastle Cricket Club. Their collaboration demonstrates the strength of aligned community and education pathways, and the positive impact that shared resources, facilities and people can have in supporting participation and development across the cricket ecosystem.
Cricket Australia congratulates Kalamunda Cricket Club and Blind Sports WA on their well‑deserved recognition, and thanks Waratah Mayfield District Cricket Club and the University of Newcastle Cricket Club—along with all nominees nationwide—for their commitment to building stronger communities through cricket.