Tara Murray
The opportunity to become Vanuatu cricket’s new head coach was too good to refuse for Craigieburn’s Chris Laffan.
Laffan, who has been coaching Craigieburn Cricket Club since the 2017-18 season is also Craigieburn’s Football Club’s football operations manager was announced Vanuatu Cricket Association new high-performance manager and national head coach.
Laffan said he was excited to be given the opportunity.
“I went through the application process which seemed like a pretty lengthy process,” he said.
“I headed over for the recent Australian indigenous tour to get a feel for life in Port Vila.
“It was about making sure we are the right fit for each other. It’s been a whirlwind the last couple of months, but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Laffan headed to Vanuatu on Monday to get started on his new job. He said he was excited not from just a coaching point of view, but also the high performance side of things.
“The opportunity to further evolve the current player pathway program is an exciting prospect, as is capitalising on cricket being the highest ranked team sport and further driving participation levels from a grass roots level,” he said.
“It’s an honour to accept the position and I’m hopeful I can provide an opportunity to embed long term growth in Vanuatu cricket.”
Laffan isn’t the first Australian to hold the coaching role, while several players have made Australia home playing in competitions across the country.
Laffan’s first task is coaching the men’s side at the East Asia Pacific Regional Final in July. The aim is to finish top of their group for a spot in the 20-team ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024.
Laffan said possibility of coaching against the likes of Australia and England in a big tournament would be incredible.
“If you had have said to me a year ago, it would have blown my mind,” he said. “If the opportunity presents itself now, it would be a great opportunity for Vanuatu cricket.”
VCA chief executive Tim Cutler said they were delighted to welcome Chris to the Vanuatu cricket family.
“This is an exciting time for cricket in Vanuatu – the country’s highest ranked team sport – and after a long process unfortunately interrupted by tropical cyclones Judy and Kevin, we are overjoyed to finally secure our preferred candidate,” he said.
“Chris was very impressive throughout the process with his understanding of the unique challenges that come with growing the sport in an emerging nation like ours, and his experience coaching and teaching individuals from different backgrounds and cultures will be an asset here.”
The new role means Laffan has stepped down from his role at Craigieburn Cricket Club.
A new coach is yet to be announced.
Laffan said he would continue to keep an eye on his old club.
“It’s fantastic for me to get that opportunity,” he said.
“I will take some of the skills into the new environment. I will keep an eye on the results and what they do in the future.”
