Congratulations to Nick Toohey, who has been selected for a second consecutive year for the Basil Sellers Scholarship, as one of sixteen talented young male and female players by the Cricket NSW Foundation. This prestigious award, now in its seventeenth year, is highly sought after and assists the city and country recipients, both on and off the playing field.
A detailed explanation (courtesy of Mike Langford, Vice President, Northern District Cricket Club) follows:
17th Class of Basil Sellers Scholars Inducted
A group of 16 scholars for the 2022/23 season were inducted into the Basil Sellers Scholarship Program last week in the SCG’s historic Members bar, joined by their families and those who have supported them on their cricketing journey.
The program supports scholars and their families with education, training, employment and social skills, particularly those rural and regional cricketers who may need to adjust to a city lifestyle.
The new list of scholars is the largest cohort in the history of the program, which has inducted 156 individual scholars, including 23 who have gone on to play international cricket – 20 for Australia.
The scholars were joined by the generous donor, Mr Basil Sellers AM, along with former scholarship recipients, current NSW players and Australian representatives, Stella Campbell and Kurtis Patterson.
The Basil Sellers Scholarship program is administered via the Cricket NSW Foundation, under the Youth Development pillar. This pillar aims to increase youth social connection and development through cricket, which is evident through the variety of personal development opportunities the scholars will take part in over the course of the season.
The Cricket NSW Foundation is focused on increasing the access to cricket for all in NSW, and the funds provided help achieve this for the scholars.
This was the first face-to-face induction for the program held since before the pandemic, allowing a welcome return for scholars and their families to celebrate their inclusion in the prestigious program.
“It was terrific to have a live event after two years of virtual inductions,” Mr Sellers, who is also the Vice Patron of Cricket NSW, said.
“Mixing with inductees and their parents is always my favourite part of the evening, which is much better than seeing little images on a screen.
“The nine boys and five girls who were inducted on the night (two female inductees were unable to attend) were very impressive and I am sure will have excellent cricket careers ahead of them.”
Greg Mail, CNSW’s Chief of Cricket Performance, paid tribute to the generous opportunities afforded the scholars and cricket in general, via Mr Sellers.
“Basil Sellers AM’s ongoing commitment and contributions to cricket in NSW are unwavering, evident through his dedication to ensuring our next generation of NSW players have access to the tools they need to succeed,” Mail said.
“The Basil Sellers’ Scholarship program is an exceptional opportunity for our most talented girls and boys to join the Cricket NSW family and receive support to advance their cricket and education aspirations.
“The SCG Members’ pavilion provided a great setting for players, their parents and coaches to meet Basil and hear from former scholars Stella Campbell and Kurtis Patterson about their cricketing journeys.
“To see the engagement and enjoyment evident in the young players was really inspirational.
“We again thank Basil for his generosity and passion in ensuring that NSW Cricket continues to be strong and strive to be better.”
