In the attempts to boost the profile of sports in Vanuatu, the Vanuatu Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development have appointed Australian professional rugby league hooker, Cameron Smith AM as the Vanuatu Sports Ambassador on Thursday the 28th of November 2019 in Port Vila.
A Member of the Order of Australia (AM), the highest all-time point scorer and the only player to have ever played over 400 matches in the NRL, Smith’s appointment is an enormous milestone in the history of Vanuatu sports.
This milestone was embraced within the Vanuatu sporting community and Smith expressed the honor he feels for his appointment as the Vanuatu Sports Ambassador.
“I am very privileged to become an ambassador for sport in Vanuatu because sport has made me who I am and I am honored to be given this opportunity to help develop sports in Vanuatu.
“Rugby League is my number one sport but I am looking forward to seeing rugby league and sports participation in general grow over the next few years in this beautiful country,” he said.
Smith’s participation did not end at the appointment ceremony as he graced the opening of the Vanuatu Rugby League 9s pop up tournament on Friday November 29th with the official kick off being his first task as the Vanuatu Sports Ambassador.
Vanuatu Sports Ambassador, Cameron Smith AM kicking off the VRL 9s tournament in Port Vila Photo Credit: Melissa Fare
Smith’s appointment will certainly increase the profile of sport, encourage participation in sports in the country, and provide inspiration for enthusiastic sports men and women to use sport as an avenue to personally and professionally develop as a person and an athlete. -END-