New Delhi, Feb 16: The University of Canberra (UC) has announced the return of its flagship UC Cricket Challenge for a third consecutive year in India, marking a significant milestone in the University’s sustained engagement with India through sport, education and youth development.
Delivered in partnership with Cricket ACT, the governing body for cricket in the Australian Capital Territory, the UC Cricket Challenge has evolved into a distinctive international platform that blends competitive school-level cricket with academic exposure, cultural exchange and global education pathways.
Since its inception, the tournament has provided promising young cricketers from schools across India with the opportunity to compete in high-performance formats while gaining insights into Australia’s sport-led education ecosystem.
Mr Andrew Barr, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory, highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating:
“The University of Canberra Cricket Challenge represents exactly what Canberra stands for – innovation, opportunity and partnership. This program strengthens our international education relationships, opens new pathways for young athletes, and showcases Canberra as a global destination where talent is nurtured both on the field and in the classroom. We are proud to support an initiative that builds futures, deepens global connections and reflects the very best of our community.”
The UC Cricket Challenge reflects a shared vision between UC and Cricket ACT to nurture emerging talent while creating meaningful ‘study and play’ pathways that enable students to pursue sporting excellence alongside academic ambition. The initiative aligns with UC’s broader focus on employability, industry integration and real-world learning.
Building on the success of previous editions, the 2026 UC Cricket Challenge will feature inter-school T10 matches in Bengaluru, complemented by engagement activities designed to expose students to international education opportunities, high-performance sporting environments and cross-cultural experiences. Further details regarding dates, venues and participating schools will be announced in due course.
Professor Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Canberra, said the Challenge embodies the University’s values of opportunity, aspiration and global connection.
“Sport has a unique ability to bring people together. Through this initiative we are creating pathways for young talent to thrive both on the field and in the classroom,” he said.
“As we mark the third consecutive year of the Challenge in India, we will focus on building enduring partnerships, strengthening people-to-people ties between India and Australia, and positioning Canberra as a destination for students looking to combine education with sporting excellence.”
Ms Olivia Thorton, Chief Executive Officer of Cricket ACT, added:
“The UC Cricket Challenge demonstrates how cricket can bring India and Australia closer while creating meaningful education and sport pathways for young people. Cricket ACT is proud to support an initiative that connects communities and opens global opportunities for emerging talent.”
The tournament underscores the growing role of sport as a bridge between education systems and international collaboration. Through this partnership, UC continues to strengthen connections between schools, sporting bodies and higher education institutions, supporting talent development, coaching excellence and future leadership in sport.
As part of its broader India engagement strategy, the UC Cricket Challenge complements the University’s initiatives in student recruitment, school outreach, training and collaborative partnerships. Together, these efforts reinforce India’s importance as a key strategic market in UC’s global vision.
The hat-trick edition of the UC Cricket Challenge reaffirms the University of Canberra’s belief that sport-led education can play a transformative role in shaping globally minded, career-ready graduates while deepening cultural and institutional ties between nations.