Macquarie Sports Cricket Program

The annual cricket program sees key players from World Cricket coach more than 1200 children throughout Australia. In 2006, this included Australian test cricketers Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey and Justin Langer, former Australian cricketers and current State players Phil Jacques, Brad Haddin, Brad Hodge and Andy Bichel and former Australia wicketkeeper and New Zealand and NSW Coach Steve Rixon.

Over the past years international cricketers including Sir Richard Hadlee, Graham Thorpe, Ian Botham and Sir Vivian Richards have all been involved in the program. The cricket program strives to encourage children of all levels to enjoy the game as well as developing their existing skills.

Included in the program are the Cricket Leadership Forums in which more than 100 young cricketing leaders, identified by their schools and grade cricket clubs, receive coaching from many of the cricketers mentioned above. On the day, the boys have the opportunity to interact and learn from players who have achieved at the highest levels of the game and receive training in public speaking and media skills.

“The Macquarie Sports program is by far the best of the very best in which I have ever been involved in twenty years of professional sport. It successfully integrates core values, leadership and the importance these hold in life and sport.” Matthew Hayden