A DETECTIVE from Narre Warren will swap his blues for whites next month when he and other police members take on the Victorian Imparja Cup Squad in a T20 match.
Detective Senior Constable Kieran Rodgers from Casey Crime Investigation Unit will be part of the Victoria Police Cricket Club which will take part in the game at Camberwell Cricket Ground at the corner of Camberwell Road and Bowen Street on Sunday, 3 February from 11am.
The Imparja Cup Squad is made up of indigenous players from across the state and the match is designed to foster positive relationships between police and the indigenous community.
Det Sen Con Rodgers said this is the first year the match will take place, but will become an annual event.
“We spoke about (having the game) in the past but nothing was done about it. So we approached Cricket Victoria,” he said.
“It is something police are interested in and it is also in-line with the Victorian Police Multicultural Policy to engage different sections of the community in cricket or sport in general.”
Det Sen Con Rodgers said sport was an ideal way of bringing the two groups together.
“We know that despite a huge amount of work being done, there aren’t always positive interactions between police and the indigenous community,” he said.
“This game is really an opportunity for us all to get together in a relaxed environment, get to know each other away from the uniform and hopefully enjoy a great day of cricket.”
The indigenous team will also travel to Alice Springs in late February to take part in the annual national Imparja Cup.
