Following an exciting summer of cricket, with Australia reclaiming the Ashes and its ranking as world’s #1, cricket is well and truly back on the map when it comes to Aussie sports, and nowhere is this more evident than here at Bond.
Following its victory in the 2014 Redman Shield Last Man Standing Competition, the Bond University Cricket Club (BUCC) now has its sights set firmly on making its mark at this year’s Australian University Games (AUG) which will run from 28 September to 3 October in Sydney.
In 2013, the Club blitzed the competition to be named the AUG Division Two 20/20 cricket champions, winning seven from seven matches and proudly taking home the Gold Medal.
According to BUCC President, Matt Jackson, our chances of taking home gold again this year are strong.
“It’s a very competitive event and it will be tough taking on the bigger universities, especially the Sydneysiders on their home turf, but we’re going to give it a crack,” Matt said.
“We’ve really hit the ground running this year, and we’re a lot better prepared now, than we were back then.
“Our team is 30-strong, with good representation from all faculties and many big cricketing countries including Australia, New Zealand and India.
“Having said that, what we’re very keen to do in the coming months is unearth some new cricketing talent at Bond.
“We have a number of former junior representative-level cricketers and some local grade cricket players within our ranks, but we’re always on the lookout for new blood.”
Under 19 Schoolboys player, Bondy Ryan Fletcher, took out the title of Best Athlete of the Games at the 2013 AUG, and Matt Jackson was named Manager of the Games. At Bond’s own sporting awards, the Blues Awards late last year, two of the four main Blues Awards went to cricketers.
A recent donation of $5,000 from long-time Bond supporter, philanthropist and cricket enthusiast - in fact former director of the NSW Cricket Association - Mr Basil Sellers AM, has opened many doors for the team.
“Not only did Mr Seller’s very generous support provide us with registration fees to participate in the Last Man Standing competition and another charity cricket challenge, but more importantly it has provided the opportunity for many more students to play,” Matt said.
Mr Sellers’ donation also enabled the team to upgrade its cricket nets, which are situated in between the Bond tennis courts and the AFL field.
As part of the Club’s preparation for this year’s AUG, it will be organising trial games and social matches throughout the winter season with local corporate teams and arch rivals, Griffith University.
“BUCC has just created a three match series against Griffith University with 3 x 50 over games being played on respective Saturdays starting this week, so please contact us if you’re interested in representing Bond,” Matt said.
If you’re keen to sign up, or just learn more about the cricket club, email Matt Jackson ([email protected]) or check out the Bond University Cricket Club Facebook page. You can also head down the Bond Sports Hall on a Friday night between 6.00pm and 8.00pm (Weeks 2- 12) where there is always a friendly game of indoor cricket taking place for all-comers.