For many people around the world, sport is more than just a game — it's a source of joy, hope and opportunity, it helps to bring people together and, on a larger scale, has the ability to foster national unity and pride. In many communities, however, access to proper sports equipment is a luxury and hard to get. While on assignment in Dili, Timor-Leste, between 2018-2020, VSA volunteer Mark Young was active in the local cricket community. He even helped to grow a youth cricket programme in his free time, outside of his assignment as an advisor at TradeInvest, Timor-Leste. It was during this time that he realised the locals were playing cricket with homemade gear, and he wanted to do something about it.
During Christmas 2018, Mark headed back to Aotearoa New Zealand both inspired and motivated by the talent and passion of the Timorese cricket community. He took the initiative to collect cricket gear from local clubs he knew in Wellington and, with the help of a VSA co-ordinated fundraiser and DHL, he sent some cricket gear back to Timor-Leste. This included a large range of bats, balls, stumps, helmets and even included an artificial pitch - this proved to be a real bonus on the uneven dusty grounds of Timor-Leste. "They're very passionate," Mark explains, "and they use their own money to run the cricket team, which is very humbling." With his story reaching a national audience across Aotearoa through radio interviews, social media and word of mouth, support started pouring in from individuals and organisations around the country. He became known as ‘the cricket guy’ within VSA!
Fast forward to late 2024, Mark returned to Timor-Leste to accompany his partner Lara who was on a blended VSA assignment as a pre-school advisor. He was happy to see the local cricket scene had continued to grow after COVID, including a large number of female players. Timor Cricket have ambitions to become an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) but are in need of more equipment and coaching. Re-enthused, Mark has found himself once again gathering cricketing equipment (about 160kg!) that has been generously donated by Cricket Wellington and some other individuals. "They [the cricket community] are very appreciative,” Mark says, “and I really want to help them become an ICC member."
Over 160kg of cricket gear has been generously donated by Cricket Wellington and individuals across New Zealand
While the support from New Zealanders has been overwhelmingly positive, the journey has not come without its obstacles. With the rising costs of shipping and the daunting task of coordinating international shipments, sending this equipment was looking to be very challenging. However, following an RNZ interview at the end of January, Mark received some good news from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) saying there was space in their container heading out of Wellington to Dili the next day! With little notice, he was able to gather the gear and get it on to the NZDF container with just an hour to spare. Mark and Timor Cricket are very thankful to NZDF and everyone else who helped make this happen.
As reflected in Mark’s story, the impact of volunteers reaches far beyond their immediate work and creates a positive ripple effect on both the volunteer as well as the community. Like many VSA volunteers, Mark, through his dedication and passion outside of his volunteer assignment, continues to inspire others, strengthen connections and contribute to a culture of kindness and support.
If you would like to help with Mark's continued efforts to support the Timorese cricket community on their journey to becoming ICC members, or if you know of anyone who might be interested, please get in touch with Mark here.
Mark with the Timor-Leste cricket team he helped coach, after a match in Dili, November 2024