Milne Bay cricket: from grassroots to national representation
Milne Bay Province, long considered one of Papua New Guinea’s cricket breeding grounds, is once again taking a proactive role in growing the sport through grassroots development programs and pathways to national representation.
Cricket, first introduced to the province by the London Missionary Society in the early 1900s, remains deeply embedded in Milne Bay’s cultural and sporting identity. From village-level games to international tournaments, the province continues to foster talent and passion for the game.
Over the years, Milne Bay has produced several notable cricketers. Among them is Hinamutawa Leubena, who proudly represented PNG in the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby and also toured the Netherlands with the national women’s team, the Lewas.
Another rising star, Luwelu Frank, recently traveled with the national U19 Garamuts (men’s team) to Japan for the EAP Qualifiers. Katenalaki Singi made headlines with his performance at the U19 World Cup in the West Indies, while Duna Alex represented PNG as part of the U19 national women’s team, the Siales, playing at the international level.
These success stories are a testament to Cricket PNG’s vision: ‘To make cricket the sport for everyone, inspiring positive change,’ both locally and globally.
Milne Bay’s achievements stem from a long-term commitment to grassroots cricket. The efforts of Cricket Milne Bay, in partnership with Cricket PNG’s Game Development Programs, especially the BSP School Kriket Program, have been central to this growth. Now in its 15th year, the program has expanded from three to eleven centers nationwide, reaching over 150,000 participants annually across more than 200 schools.
In Milne Bay alone, 2025 has seen a strong start. During Term 1, development officers visited three primary and two elementary schools, and conducted nine community clinics. In Term 2, they reached six primary and four elementary schools.
Despite facing setbacks such as delayed school enrolments and teacher postings, the development team, led by Simon Timo Deiwillie, Regional Cricket Manager for Milne Bay, remains committed.
“We normally start in Week 6 or 7, but we always catch up. Cricket is too important not to,” Deiwillie said.
Efforts are also underway to revive senior-level cricket. The Ahioma Cricket Association, dormant for three to four seasons, is expected to resume competitions in August. Plans are already in motion to restart the association’s activities.
The Dogura Cricket League [DCL], under the leadership of President Charles Gegenaua and Monty Salum, successfully hosted its first T20 tournament last year and is aiming to continue competitions into 2025.
Additionally, the Bou Cricket Association is working to launch junior competitions, ensuring more youth have opportunities to play, compete, and thrive in the sport.
Milne Bay’s contribution to cricket extends beyond its male players. Female cricketers like Duna Alex and Beryl Taumatagara have earned spots in provincial squads alongside peers from Oro, Morobe, Madang, and Central Province, and have gone on to represent PNG at the national level.
Duna Alex’s story is especially inspiring. She was just 14 years old when she was identified by Cricket PNG’s talent scouts during a BSP School Kriket session in Ahioma Village, while attending Lelehoa Primary School. She was selected to travel to Port Moresby for further training at Amini Park.
This opportunity set the stage for her selection into the U19 Siales, with whom she traveled to Bali and later Australia in 2024. She also played in the Women’s Isuzu T20 Smash, sponsored by Boroko Motors, in 2024 and 2025 at Amini Park. A right-handed batter and right-arm medium bowler, Duna represented Team Black Bass in this year’s tournament.
Milne Bay continues to affirm its place as a cornerstone of cricket development in PNG, proving that with the right support, grassroots initiatives can lead to international success.