Cricket PNG General Manager Bill Leane today unveiled two breakthrough development initiatives in conjunction with long time local cricket supporter Sir Brian Bell.

The Emerging Stars Scholarship program will identify 12 boys and 12 girls from anywhere in PNG, house them in Port Moresby and provide top level academic and cricketing resources.

The program includes a full time teacher and a live-in coach who will be dedicated to daily training, playing, educational and development activities.

"The Brian Bell Emerging Stars Scholarships allows Cricket PNG to find the most promising young players in all the provinces throughout PNG and bring them to Port Moresby to go to school and also to learn cricket skills and hopefully in the future play international cricket.” Mr Leane said.

The second initiative (The Future Stars Scholarship) is aimed at giving players, who are involved with the national high performance or under-19 programs, experience playing club cricket in Australia or New Zealand.

There are no turf pitches in Port Moresby, so the experience is vital for players brought up on cement tracks as Leane pointed out.

"The scholarship covers their board and food with a host family, secures their place at a prominent club, pays for equipment, uniforms, fees and insurance. Each athlete receives a weekly allowance and has the opportunity to play two to three games on turf a week which means that they will play around 50 days of turf cricket during their 120 day stay. Each club is also providing access to gym facilities and each player will be strength and fitness tested during their stay to ensure they return to PNG in peak condition."

The players selected for the first season in Australia and New Zealand are Raymond Haoda jr, Heni Siaka (Marist-Harewood CC, New Zealand), Arua Dikana, Joel Tom (Wanderers CC, Queensland), Assad Vala, Willie Gavera (South Brisbane CC, Queensland), Vani Vagi Morea, Steven Eno, Tony Ura (Broadmeadows CC, Victoria), Chris Amini, Vagi Oala, John Reva (Airport West CC, Victoria), Kila Pala (North Balwyn CC, Victoria).