In 2025, Lara Secondary College in Victoria will offer cricket as a formal subject, rather than just an extracurricular activity. The move is part of its partnership with the state governing body Cricket Victoria and the Australian non-profit Academy Movement.
Under the initiative, schools across Victoria will offer specialised electives for classes 9 and 10, and certification programmes in sports and recreation for classes 11 and 12. They will provide expert cricket training for students up to class 7.
Talking to ThePrint, Luke Skewes, the principal of Lara Secondary College, said the Cricket Academy is not compulsory and students can opt into it if they want. If they do, it will contribute significantly to academics (20 percent) and include before and after school training sessions.
Apart from playing cricket, they will also be looking at cricketing roles such as coaching and umpiring, and will achieve accreditations in both.
Skewes emphasised that a key aspect of the academy is the requirement for excellence both in the classroom and on the cricket field. “Being dedicated to your cricket is not enough, students must be willing to develop all areas of their life,” he noted.
When asked if India, as a cricket-loving nation, could draw inspiration from this initiative, Skewes said, “Absolutely.”
He suggested that India could harness students’ love of cricket to not only develop their cricketing skills through high-level coaching but also motivate them to perform academically.
Skewes hopes the programme will convey a message to other countries and educational institutions about the importance of integrating sports into the curriculum.
By doing this, Skewes believes that educational institutions can provide students with a well-rounded education that extends beyond academics. “Sport is not only an incredible motivator for students, it also instils great values that can be applied to life in general.”
Also Read: Inswing, outswing, reverse swing, reverse-reverse swing & more. James Anderson had it all
Setting students up for a ‘lifetime of success’
When asked about the programme’s benefits, Skewes explained, “Our cricket programme is designed to prepare students for life after secondary school, setting them up for success beyond their playing careers.”
“Students will have the choice to decide on their future pathway, whether that be studying a dual Diploma of Business and Diploma of Leadership and Management, or pursuing any of the professional roles that professional cricket now requires,” he said.
“They could be sports doctors, physiotherapists, player-managers, strength and conditioning coaches, sports administrators, media managers, umpires, performance analysts, marketing consultants or one of dozens of other roles now associated within this great game.”
When asked about the life skills and values that cricket gives students and how these would be reflected in the curriculum, the principal emphasised the importance of perseverance and determination.
He noted, “The challenge of learning, of initially finding something difficult but persevering and exploring ways to be successful is such an important skill in cricket and life.”
He explained that the curriculum would include specific content focused on developing personal well-being, mindfulness, and perseverance, stressing that these skills are essential regardless of one’s goals.
(Edited by Sanya Mathur)
Also Read: Manu Bhaker stashed away 1st Olympic medal in almirah. ‘Told myself it isn’t going to help next day’