The 2024/25 season was a defining year for the Cricket Victoria Foundation, as it continued its mission to make cricket accessible and inclusive for every Victorian. Since its inception in 2022, the Foundation has become the philanthropic heart of Victorian cricket, harnessing the power of the sport to unite communities, build confidence and unlock opportunities […]
The 2024/25 season was a defining year for the Cricket Victoria Foundation, as it continued its mission to make cricket accessible and inclusive for every Victorian.
Since its inception in 2022, the Foundation has become the philanthropic heart of Victorian cricket, harnessing the power of the sport to unite communities, build confidence and unlock opportunities both on and off the field.
In just three years, the Foundation has supported more than 40 community programs and directly impacted thousands of Victorians through its investments in inclusion, education and leadership.
Throughout the past year, the Foundation channelled every dollar raised into initiatives across its three strategic pillars: Accessible Participation, Women & Girls, and Our Community, with each pillar designed to harness cricket's capacity to drive social change and lasting connection.
View the 2024/25 Cricket Victoria Foundation Impact Report Here
Cricket's transformative potential was on full display at the National Cricket Inclusion Championships in Queensland, where Victoria's representative teams achieved remarkable success.
The state's Intellectual Disability, Men's Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Women's Deaf and Hard of Hearing squads all claimed national honours, a feat that saw Victoria secure three national titles in one tournament. More than 150 players represented Victoria across inclusive divisions – a testament to the Foundation's continued investment in high-performance pathways for athletes with disabilities.
Beyond elite competition, the Foundation strengthened the grassroots game by funding the Melbourne All Abilities Cricket Association, Victorian Blind Cricket, and the Melbourne Deaf Cricket Club. These partnerships provided equipment, coaching support and competition opportunities for more than 200 community participants, ensuring more Victorians with disability can play and belong.
The Foundation's commitment to empowering women and girls also reached new heights through the Girls Leadership Program, delivered in partnership with the MCC Foundation and former Australian captain Belinda Clark AO through her company The Leadership Playground.
In 2024/25, 123 aspiring female leaders aged 14 to 16 took part in the program, marking the Foundation's largest intake to date which spanned Metropolitan and Regional Victoria. Participants reported an average 61% increase in confidence to lead in metropolitan programs, and a 42% increase in regional sessions.
A remarkable 82% of parents said their child displayed more leadership since completing the program, while 100% of club mentors observed visible growth in communication and teamwork.
The Foundation's impact among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities also continued to grow. The Scott Boland Indigenous Scholarship, launched in partnership with the Melbourne Cricket Education Academy, provided tailored financial and personal support for Indigenous students completing dual diplomas in Business and Leadership & Management.
Victoria's National Indigenous Cricket Championship Men's and Women's teams also enjoyed a standout season, with Tahlia Meier and Pat Jackson named in the Teams of the Tournament. Further, three Victorian players selected for national honours.
For Advisory Committee Member Tracie Stoltenburg, these achievements demonstrate what can be accomplished when sport and purpose align.
"Together we are building a future where every Victorian can thrive through the power of cricket," she said.
"The generosity of our donors and partners allows us to deliver programs that genuinely change lives."
Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Foundation continues to measure and expand its social impact, ensuring every investment delivers long-term benefit for individuals and communities.
With the ongoing support of its partners and donors, the Cricket Victoria Foundation is shaping a more inclusive, equitable and vibrant future for the game.
