A burst of colour, culture and cricket lit up Dubbo as the town’s Nepalese community came together for a vibrant winter Tape Ball 6-a-side competition in June in a celebration of connection, community and a shared love of the game.
Thunder Vibes and Tape Ball Thrills Light Up Dubbo’s Nepalese Community
Supported by Sydney Thunder, this event was far more than just a competition for this variation of cricket, played with a taped tennis ball. Set to a backdrop of traditional Nepalese music and food, with family members and elders in attendance, the day offered a unique blend of sport and culture—showcasing what cricket can look like when it’s rooted in community.
With seven teams and 54 registered participants, every player either born overseas or first-generation Australian, the competition reflected the rich diversity of Dubbo. It also spotlighted the strong presence of the Nepalese community, which now makes up 1.6% of the local population—a significantly higher share than both state and national averages.
Players competed for the Thunder-branded trophy, but the real win was in the connections made. One former community member even travelled from Melbourne just to take part, underscoring how meaningful the event was. A pop-up food store kept players and spectators fuelled, while kids on the sidelines had their first taste of cricket, setting the stage for future junior offerings.
The competition was driven by local cricket enthusiast and volunteer, Pradeep Gyawalee, with support from the Cricket NSW team of Joshua Willcox (Cricket Manager - Far West), Matt Ellis (Cricket Blast – Rural and Remote Delivery Lead) and Jerim Hayes (Clubs and Competitions Manager – Western NSW).
This event was one of over 10 community-led South Asian initiatives that have either already been rolled out, or are in the offing, by Sydney Thunder this year — programs that are helping to build long-term relationships and create pathways for participation.
In next steps, the strong interest from the community has already sparked discussions about a one-day summer carnival, expanded winter leagues, and holiday programs for juniors—all under the Sydney Thunder umbrella.
Joshua Willcox said:
“The Dubbo tape ball competition brought cricket to community in the way that they love their game. At Cricket NSW, it is our endeavour to bring cricket to everyone that wants to play and love the game, in a format that they want to play in.
“Sydney Thunder has a great fan following in Western NSW and their giving back to the community by facilitating these competitions endear them to our South Asian communities even more.
The community is looking forward to an exciting summer of cricket to support and cheer on their team at this year’s Big Bash League.”