Photo Credit: Melbourne Renegade
The Melbourne Renegades have given one lucky Victorian cricketer the chance of a lifetime, with North Geelong Cricket Club’s Tom Mathieson voted the winner of ‘The Renegades Recruit.’
‘The Renegades Recruit’ saw local players put through their paces across the two-part TV series, with a public vote determining Mathieson as the winner – securing 39% of the more than 7,000 fan votes cast.
The series uncovered 10 unsung heroes of cricket, offering one of them an unparalleled opportunity – a two-week, all expenses paid pre-season trip with the Renegades Academy players.
Mathieson, who is a sprinkler fitter by day, said he will take this amazing opportunity with both hands.
“The chance to head on tour with elite cricketers is a dream come true and I can’t wait to show everyone what I’m made of,” Mathieson said.
“I would like to thank the Melbourne Renegades, Cricket Victoria and everyone who has played a role in providing me this opportunity, I’m nervous but very much excited to be a part of the squad for the upcoming tour.”
Mathieson will rub shoulders with the likes of Renegades-contracted players Jake Fraser-McGurk and, Mackenzie Harvey while gaining invaluable learnings from the Renegades coaching staff.
‘The Renegades Recruit’ trainer and Melbourne Renegades WBBL Head Coach Simon Helmot is looking forward to seeing Mathieson integrate with the squad.
“The Renegades Recruit was such a good experience for all involved and we are excited to see the program evolve in the coming years,” Helmot said.
“Having been heavily involved in the series, we are all very happy for Tom and would like to thank the other competitors for putting their skills on full display.”
Melbourne Renegades General Manager James Rosengarten extends his thanks to everyone involved in the program and sends his congratulations to Mathieson.
“I’d like to thank everyone at the Renegades and Cricket Victoria who have worked on this project from start to finish and all 10 competitors involved. We’ve left no stone unturned, and we are delighted to see Tom along with nine other aspiring cricketers give the program a red hot go,” Rosengarten said.
“Our WBBL Head Coach Simon Helmot put the group through their paces and following the success of this series we will now be in a position to launch The Renegades Recruit program for our female players in the years to come.”
Selection for the competition was open to any male cricketer in Victoria aged 18 or over who had not previously earned a place on a state contract list nor had been selected in a senior Premier Cricket team in the past two years. Nominations were lodged by community clubs or associations.
All episodes of ‘Renegades Recruit’ are available on Kayo and the Renegades Facebook page.
Note: The Renegades Recruit winner will be included in the travelling group with the Renegades Academy squad. The winner does not receive a BBL playing contract.
