Applications now open for the ACA Internship Program

ACA Internship Program allows Zoe Britcliffe's skills to flourish off the field

Now in its ninth year, the ACA's Internship Program is a terrific example of how our players are funding initiatives to benefit fellow members and strengthen the game. Applications for 2023-24 are now open with five placements available with eight opportunities to select from.

One of the more recent members to take advantage of this program is Zoe Britcliffe who has recently completed an internship at WA Cricket working in community cricket with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

WA Cricket's Inclusion and Diversity Specialist, Jade Wyllie, said Zoe's internship was great for all parties.

"Zoe has been amazing, she is enthusiastic and always willing to help the whole department not just in the inclusion space," said Jade. "We could not praise her more highly."

Zoe recently spoke with the ACA about how experience benefitted her and why others should take up the opportunities provided by the ACA in partnership with Cricket Australia and the state associations.

Could you talk through the process of getting the internship?

It was a pretty easy process actually. Our PDM put forward the opportunity of the internship and asked me if I was interested in doing one. I told her that community cricket was something that I would like to get into and know a bit more about and up came an opportunity in community cricket across diversity and inclusion. The interview process was really simple. Denita from Infront Sport was really helpful the whole time, helped prep me get clarity on the role and the whole process was relatively smooth.

Can you summarize the internship you did?

I got to cover a whole range of community cricket. The role was based around helping in the diversity and inclusion space, all of the foundation programs that we do. In all things disability cricket, female cricket, indigenous and aboriginal cricket. So I’ve been able to help run carnivals and school programs and community programs. I’ve also been able to help in clubs and schools on the other side of our community cricket space. The on-ground experiences have been phenomenal. I help with most of the scorchers games, running the kids out on the ground and helping them interact with the players. I’ve had a lovely mix of being outdoors which I love and working in the office.

I was asked if it was going to be too much cricket, being at the WACA five days a week for this.

I said although I’m going to be at the WACA all the time for my own cricket, this is for other people's cricket, this isn’t for me, this is to give someone else an opportunity to enjoy the sport that I love so much.

Do you think the Internship program is beneficial and if so, what are some of the benefits you’ve experienced yourself?

Of course, it’s been so beneficial for me. It’s been really good to see where my cricket skills flourish, outside of the sport itself but also see the areas I need to work on a little bit more. Knowing I’m giving back, although in a paid role, helping other people enjoy what I have enjoyed has been very beneficial.

It’s a distraction from my own cricket but I would say it has definitely helped my on-field game as well.

What would your advice be for other ACA members thinking about applying for the internship program?

Just apply! You’ve got nothing to lose. You’ll get valuable insight into how much work goes on behind the scenes from the ACA but also how willing the states and PDMs are to support you in your career now and also help to support you beyond sport.

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Applications close on Friday 31 March 2023

For further details on opportunities in the ACA's Internship Program, please contact Mark Gregory, ACA Transition & Past Player Development Manager at mgregory@auscricket.com.au