Scholarship for star cricketer
MANY cricketers could only dream of being offered a chance of playing cricket overseas.
For Brett Forsyth, however, the dream is now a reality after his superb year for Dandenong in the Victorian Premier Cricket League earned him the Crusaders/Robert Rose scholarship.
The opening batsman made a whopping 1039 runs this season, with three centuries, including a knock of 144 against North Melbourne in February.
Forsyth was also amongst the runs for the Victorian Under 19s in the national championships in December, with scores of 99 in the semi-final and 117 as the young Bushrangers took out the title.
Despite a season full of runs the 19 year old expressed his surprise at being honoured at Cricket Victoria’s gala awards on April 1, following in the footsteps of previous scholarship winners Damien Fleming and Matthew Elliott.
“Personally it’s the best season I’ve had, (but) I didn’t expect anything really,” Forsyth said.
“It’s a bit surreal. I’m thrilled to be on the trophy with names who have gone on to play for Australia.”
The scholarship is jointly sponsored by the Robert Rose Foundation and the Crusaders, a program where former first class cricketers play with youngsters to aid their development. The benefits of the scholarship will see Forsyth link up with an English cricket club, with assistance also given for accommodation and other expenses.
Forsyth is able to choose when to take advantage of the scholarship, and should the timing be right, it could see him link up with a Crusaders tour of the UK and Europe.
“I’m hoping to finish my TAFE course this year and go after next season,” he said.
“It gives me time to plan where I’m going to play.”
Forsyth blossomed under the tutelage of Dandenong coach Warren Ayres, who spotted him as a youngster for Springvale South.
Ayres brought him to Dandenong where he progressed rapidly, leading to selections for the Victoria Under 15, 17 and 19 sides.
“I was rapt Brett got that scholarship,” Ayres said. “It’s a great reward for a great year, and hopefully he can go on with it and go to a higher level.”
Forsyth said he was aiming to win selection to the Victorian Cricket Academy, where he trained over the previous summer, and also to consolidate his place with the Panthers.
He also paid tribute to the role Ayres and Dandenong had played in his development, as well as previous club Springvale South.
Comments
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
