THE Shoalhaven has a strong representation in the sides to contest the Cricket NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup.

Bomaderry Cricket Club's Kealan Blattner will represent theYuin Nation in the Sydney Thunder men's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team, well known cricketing sisters Naomi Woods and Lauren Woods will represent the Kamilaroi Nation in the Sydney Thunder women's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team and Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen's Cricket Club's Luke Jones represents the Eora Nation in the Sydney Thunder men's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team.

Originally scheduled for late November but rescheduled due to COVID-related border restrictions, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup combines cricket and culture in a multi-day experience for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cricketers from across New South Wales and will this year feature invitational teams representing the Melbourne Renegades (men's), Melbourne Stars (men's) and Cricket Victoria (women's).

First commencing in 2015, this summer's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup will appropriately take place during the inaugural BBL First Nations round being played between January 8 - 14.

Coaching and mentoring the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup teams will be Kerry Marshall, NSW women's Indigenous Coach and Jeff Cook, NSW men's Indigenous Coach, with the latter talking about the opportunity this event presents First Nations cricketers.

"The initiative of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup is to identify and give young players an opportunity to represent NSW in the National Indigenous Cricket Championships and further develop as a player and person," Cook said.

"It is pleasing to have many players return and play in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup, as well as new young cricketing talent enter the program. I am looking forward to seeing all the players showcase their skills and create new and old friendships within both teams."

The Sydney Thunder Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men's and women's XI's are proudly supported by Homestar Finance, who are entering their fourth season of supporting the initiative.

"Homestar Finance are thrilled to continue our support for the Australian sporting community, and in particular our association with Sydney Thunder Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander T20 Teams," said Mandy Sly, Homestar General Manager - Operations.

"We want to support, encourage and empower Australian youth and athletic initiatives - as we believe that sport has an outstanding ability to create positive, lasting change for the communities involved."

Ethan Fitzpatrick, who plays for Ginninderra Cricket Club in Belconnen (ACT), has been named as the captain for the Sydney Thunder men's team for this year's Cup.

"I am proud to be announced captain of the Sydney Thunder Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander team in this early stage of my career. Being given this opportunity to lead, not just a cricket team, but also my people, fills me with great pride and enjoyment.

"I love that this initiative is focussed on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and gives us opportunities to demonstrate our skills and abilities, whilst bringing us together to share our stories."

Highly regarded cricketer and leader, Julie Muir is proud to again be captaining the Sydney Thunder women's team: "Sydney Thunder is a great organisation to play for. They are very supporting of the Indigenous cricket programs, starting from the grassroots all the way up to the elite level.

"Due to the struggles with COVID around this time last year and again this year, we're all doing it tough. But there is nothing like getting all your mob together and checking in and supporting each other. There is no better way of doing this then playing the game that we all love and enjoy."

The Thunder and Sixers men's teams will play three pool games followed by a final and/or third place play off fixture as the competition consist of four teams. The women's competition will be contested as a tri-series with each team playing each other once, before a final play-off.

Proud Gundungurra man, Jack Hartigan who plays first grade for Hamilton-Wickham District Cricket Club has been named captain of the Sydney Sixers men's team.

"Any chance I get to be able to represent my Family, Culture and People is very special to me and is even more so when I am able to do this as captain of the Sydney Sixers Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander team.

"I am very grateful and looking forward to the experience and opportunity once again. I hope my leadership provides inspiration both on and off the field for other young up and coming Indigenous players.

"I love that this initiative allows young Indigenous men and women to come together to display and develop their talent while also connecting with their culture. I also love how this initiative shows that there is now a clear pathway for young Indigenous cricket players."

South Tamworth Cricket Club and Sydney Sixers women's representative Lara Graham: "It's a really good thing that the Sydney Sixers provide this opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to participate in a sport that they love whilst also connecting with other Indigenous people.

"The thing I most enjoy about playing in the competition is the relationships I build with other strong Indigenous women. We all have so much fun on and off the field and it's always so great having strong Indigenous role models to look up to like Julie Muir and Roxsanne Van-Veen."

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander T20 Cup uses cricket as the vehicle to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and is part of Cricket NSW's ongoing commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as outlined in the Cricket NSW Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

Cricket NSW would like to thank the support of Cricket Albury Wodonga, Cricket Victoria and the many officials and volunteers that are helping to deliver this event.