DXC supports indigenous students at NT Cricket’s Imparja Cup

The partnership between Cricket NT and DXC Technology has extended to this year’s Imparja Cup cricket tournament in Alice, including through donated laptops to support young indigenous players.

Professional services firm DXC Technology has donated 15 laptops to Northern Territory Clontarf Academy students who participated in the year’s Imparja Cup competition hosted in Alice Springs by NT Cricket, of which DXC is an official technology partner.

The consultancy also served as the major sponsor of the 2023 Imparja Cup Community Men’s division, with the annual gathering this year celebrating its 30th anniversary.

First held in 1994, the event attracts teams from all over the Territory, which are now joined by players from across the country for the concurrent National Indigenous Cricket Championships, with cricketing sensation Ashleigh Gardner one former participant.

Meanwhile, the Clontarf Academy is a nationwide integrated education and personal development program to support young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males in their transition to adulthood.

DXC Technology stated that the laptops were donated with the intention of assisting the students to complete their high school studies while reducing barriers and opening up employment pathways by connecting them through technology. The initiative forms part of the firm’s regional Digital Futures Program, which in turn falls under its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) commitments toward supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to achieve self-determination.

“By bringing cricket, community and technology together, we are living the collective values and vision our organisations have to drive growth and inclusion in the Territory – one that encourages greater Indigenous participation, develops innovation and skills, and helps communities build better futures,” said DXC Technology Asia Pacific president Seelan Nayagam, who added that the firm looks forward to rolling out further social impact initiatives in the Northern Territory.

DXC Technology has been a particularly enthusiastic supporter of cricket in the Territory, which according to its peak body is the second-most popular sport in the region with in excess of 20,000 participants. In addition to acting as Premier Partner of NT Cricket and supporting the Imparja Cup, DXC is also the naming rights sponsor of Marrara Cricket Ground and last year backed the Melbourne Stars in their tour of Darwin for the CDU Top End T20 Series.

“Our partnership with DXC is focussed on supporting the development of Northern Territory players along their journey,” said NT chief executive Gavin Dovey.” DXC’s continued sponsorship of the Imparja Cup showcases their support from a grassroots level, and to be able to connect DXC with the Clontarf Foundation is a wonderful extension of our partnership as it has enabled students to access devices that will help further their education journey.”