Photo Credit: Cricket NSW
Cricket NSW has announced the 13 talented young cricketers who will be inducted into the Basil Sellers Emerging Player Program for the 2023/24 season, along with nine emerging ‘Tier Two’ scholars who have also been granted access to the world-class development program.
This season will herald the introduction of a two-tiered system for the first time in the program’s 17-year history.
Founded by Cricket NSW Vice Patron and Life Member, Basil Sellers AM, the Scholarship Program aims to provide the state’s best emerging cricketers with the skills and opportunities needed to effectively transition to NSW contracted programs.
The program supports scholars with education, training, employment, and social skills, particularly for rural and regional cricketers who may need to adjust to a city lifestyle.
The Tier One recipients of the 2023/24 Basil Sellers Scholarships are:
Charlie Anderson (Northern District CC)
Ella Briscoe (St George-Sutherland WCC)
Sienna Eve (Northern District CC)
Ryan Hicks (Mosman CC)
Elsa Hunter (Penrith CC)
Sam Konstas (Sutherland DCC)
Lauren Kua (Manly-Warringah DCC)
Rafael MacMillan (St George DCC)
Frankie Nicklin (Universities WCC)
Kate Pelle (Parramatta WGCC)
Jake Scott (Wagga Wagga/Penrith CC)
Harjas Singh (Western Suburbs DCC)
Tom Straker (Sutherland DCC)
Tier One scholars have been identified as having the potential to earn a state or rookie contract in the short term.
Athletes in this bracket will receive the Basil Sellers financial scholarship, access to the Basil Sellers Emerging Player Program, as well as an equipment sponsorship with Kookaburra Sports.
The Tier Two recipients of the 2023/24 Basil Sellers Scholarships are:
Luke Callanan (Gordon DCC)
Angus Campbell (Greater Illawarra)
Jessica Davidson (Universities WCC)
Tara French (Central Coast/Northern District CC)
Cameron Frendo (Fairfield-Liverpool CC)
Emma Hughes (Penrith CC)
Shivani Mehta (Manly Warringah DCC)
Angus Parsons (Mosman CC)
Cameron Tunks (Northern District CC)
Tier Two scholars are recognised as athletes who have the potential to earn a state or rookie contract in the future.
Cricketers within this bracket will receive access to the Basil Sellers Emerging Player Program as well as an equipment subsidy with Kookaburra Sports.
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.
Jake Balnave, Head of the Cricket NSW Foundation, thanked Basil Sellers AM for his unwavering support and outlined the positive impact the program has had on emerging, current and past NSW junior cricketing talent.
“The continued and ongoing support from Basil Sellers AM to encourage the growth and development of young cricketers in NSW has had a profound impact on the success NSW has had since its inception in 2006/07,” Balnave said.
“The calibre of players who have come through the Basil Sellers Scholarship program is nothing short of amazing, with 21 recipients having gone on to represent Australia and 68 having represented NSW or Big Bash League teams.
“Basil’s care and commitment to the success of Cricket NSW and cricket in NSW is unmatched, and we are eternally grateful for his generosity and through the Cricket NSW Foundation, we are proud to be the vehicle for the Basil Sellers Scholarship Program to thrive.”
There has been a total of 156 unique scholarship recipients since the inception of the program in the 2006/07 season. Within that 156, 21 male and female cricketers have gone on to represent Australia in the Test, One-Day or T20 arenas including current Australian captains Pat Cummins and Alyssa Healy.
To find out more about the Basil Sellers Emerging Scholarship, read the player profiles of the latest inductees or view the full list of past scholars who’ve gone on to play elite representative cricket; click here.
