ACA Masters to award youth scholarship in Manjimup

ACA MASTERS TO AWARD YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP IN MANJIMUP

The Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) Masters tour Manjimup from 27-29 October, bringing some of the legends of the game to the region and awarding a $1,000 youth scholarship to a talented young player.

The scholarship will be awarded following the T20 match between the ACA Masters and the Warren Blackwood Cricket Association (WBCA) XI on Friday 28 October, at Collier Street Cricket Ground in Manjimup.

The scholarship winner will also have the unique opportunity to receive mentoring from one of the Masters players following the tour.

Two up-and-coming cricketers from the WBCA team, Jethro Namnik from Forestry CC and Rory Sparks from Dingup CC, will vie for the ACA Masters Youth Scholarship.

Jethro Namnik is a promising all-rounder in his fourth season of senior cricket with Forestry. The 16-year-old top-order batsman, who also bowls off-spin, has been chosen for senior Country Week duties twice and last season featured in the WBCA's best XI. The year 11 also aspires to become an electrician.

Rory Sparks, also in his fourth season of senior cricket, made his debut for Forestry, before making the move to Dingup last season. The 16-year-old swing-bowler and top-order batsman joined his first Country Week campaign in 2015/16, where he was promoted to the first XI following some stellar performances. Away from the cricket field, the year 11 is pursuing a career in sport.

The Tour is supported by the Shire of Manjimup and the WBCA.

ACA Chief Executive Alistair Nicholson said the $1,000 bursary, that recognises players 15-18 years of age, will help the recipient in meeting coaching, travel and other cricketing expenses.

"As well as the financial assistance, we recognise that these young players need positive role models and who better than a former elite player to offer them guidance," he said.

"It's vital that we foster our country cricket talent. Many of our current and former Australian players have come from regional parts of Australia, so the youth scholarship is a very important part of our program."

In other news, Darren Wates has withdrawn from the tour, making way for former Western Australia, South Australia and Perth Scorchers quick Ben Edmondson to join the ACA Masters squad.

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The tour will also include in2CRICKET coaching clinics, community visits from the players and a sportsman's function the night before the T20.

Details for the function are:

Sportsman's Night

Imperials Football Club, Manjimup

Thursday 27th October at 6:30pm

Tickets $40

Tickets: Darren Tassos on 0428 157 862

The ACA Masters program has been developed by the ACA, the official representative body of past and present players. It has been primarily funded by the current first-class and Australian players as part of their commitment to developing the game in regional Australia and engaging with local communities.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Liam Coventry-Poole

Digital Communications and PR Officer - Australian Cricketers' Association

M: 0423 846 406

lcoventry-poole@auscricket.com.au