A rising star of Armidale cricket has been named the first recipient of a new scholarship honouring a local club stalwart.<\/p>\n
Member of the East Armidale Cricket Club and Armidale Secondary College student, Brooke Moran, has been awarded the inaugural Waratahs Ian Campbell Scholarship, a program for cricketers aged under 16 playing in the Armidale District Cricket Association\u2019s senior or junior competitions.<\/p>\n
Brooke received her scholarship from The Tahs of Armidale president Andrew Davis at an awards ceremony at Cricket House at the Armidale Sportsground on Sunday, 10 August.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn forming The Tahs in 2023 and reigniting connections for former members and friends of the former Waratahs Cricket Club, the Ian Campbell Scholarship was established so we might contribute to the future of ADCA cricket, a community that gave us so many fond memories and lifelong friendships,\u201d Mr Davis said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA club stalwart, Ian Campbell dedicated much of his time at Waratahs to nurturing young talent, helping them to enhance their skills, respect the game, and grow as responsible young adults. We are thrilled to award the inaugural scholarship named in his honour to Brooke.\u201d<\/p>\n
At just 14 years of age, Brooke has already made her mark on the game. A talented left-arm opening bowler and middle order batter, she was selected in the NSW Girls All Schools under-12 squad for the 2022-23 season, the NSW Country Lions under-15 girls team in 2023-24, and more recently, in the NSW Girls All Schools under-15 squad to play in the national School Sport Australia Championships in September.<\/p>\n
In her application, Brooke said her \u201cultimate goal is to hopefully one day play for the Australian women\u2019s team and in the WBBL for the Brisbane Heat or Sydney Sixers but at the moment I\u2019m just concentrating on developing skills and playing at the best of my ability and having fun with my friends and team mates. I love playing against the men and boys but my passion is playing along side and with all the girls where I have made some life long friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
As part of the scholarship, Brooke will have the opportunity to train with Sydney Premier Cricket\u2019s Manly Warringah District Cricket Club \u2013 also nicknamed the Waratahs \u2013 with access to specialist coaching.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very pleased to have the support of the Manly Warringah club. They run strong development pathway programs for boys and girls, and have equally strong connections with country cricket,\u201d Mr Davis said.<\/p>\n
The inaugural year of the scholarship program also saw a second award presented to another East Armidale Cricket Club player, Jacob Finlay. Like Brooke, Jacob is 14 and plays in the club\u2019s second grade team. A specialist batter, he has achieved representative honours at under-15 level in both regional and school competitions.<\/p>\n
Jacob received a gift certificate from Sportspower Armidale, and both recipients also received club caps and membership of The Tahs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe congratulate both Brooke and Jacob on their awards and welcome them to The Tahs family,\u201d Mr Davis said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are grateful for the support of the ADCA, Manly-Warringah District Cricket Club and Sportspower Armidale \u2013 and, particularly, for the generous support of the members of The Tahs that has made these awards possible.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWe look forward to continuing to build the Waratahs Ian Campbell Scholarship fund and offering support to young promising cricketers in 2026 and the years beyond \u2013 just as we are able to do for Brooke and Jacob in 2025.\u201d<\/p>\n