Cricket Australia’s Debutant Recognition Program

The aim of the Debutant Recognition Program is to acknowledge clubs around Australia which are producing elite talent.

The first instalment of the program focuses on current Australian wicketkeeper Peter Nevill and his former clubs, namely the Melbourne Cricket Club, Burwood Districts, and his high school, Ashwood College – who were all presented with signed and framed shirts from the wicketkeeper.

Nevill, who played with Melbourne from 2001-08 before moving to New South Wales, has taken over as Australia’s first-choice wicketkeeper in the Test arena after the retirement of incumbent gloveman, Brad Haddin.

Speaking to cricket.com.au, Steve Wood from Nevill’s junior club Burwood Districts CC said that the club hoped to inspire other young cricketers to follow the wicketkeeper’s lead.

“We’re going to hang this (signed shirt) in pride of place in the clubrooms,” said Wood.

“We’re going to be looking around the local area to see who wants to be the next Peter Nevill.”

Steve McCooke from the Melbourne Cricket Club said that Nevill’s story would motivate Melbourne’s cricketers to be the best they could be.

“Certainly most of the players at Melbourne would have their eye on being the best they possibly can and representing their country – so anything we can do to inspire them, including hanging this up on the wall – is a great innovation” he said.

Brett Moore from Ashwood College said that there was a lot of pride in the local area about having a current Australian Test player from the region, and that would inspire students from Ashwood to follow their passions.

“There’s that real sense of neighbourhood pride in Ashwood – it’s about growing that pride at the school, whether it’s scholarly, whether it’s in the creative arts or in this case sporting achievement,” he said.

“This is an example that people can almost touch – students at Ashwood can say ‘He’s an Ashwood boy – I can also follow his footsteps’, there’s a lot of leverage out of that.”

“It’s terrific for the sport, terrific for the neighbourhood and terrific for the school.”