Shalom Year 10 student Lucy Hamilton is proving to be a force to be reckoned with on the pitch, taking out two wickets in her debut for the Queensland Fire Open Women's Cricket team this week.
Playing against WA in Canberra, the 15-year-old Bundaberg star bowled 2/35 from 6.3 overs and was run out late in Queensland's innings for three.
It's the all rounder's first taste of success since being named the second youngest debutant for Queensland in the Women's National Cricket League.
Earlier this week she was presented with cap number 93 from fellow professional cricketer and Wide Bay sportswoman Holly Ferling to mark her debut.
“This is just the beginning of everything you are going to achieve in this sport,” Holly said.
“My advice is to never forget where you come from, wear your Wide Bay socks with pride.
“It is that region and the people there that have made you the person you are today, but also the cricketer you are today.”
Lucy's sporting achievement is a proud moment for those who know her, including her family, coaches, teachers and students of Shalom College who have watched her skills develop over the years.
Sport coordinator at the school Simon Gills said Lucy was identified as a promising athlete across several sports at a young age.
“Lucy made several Wide Bay primary school sports teams, obviously cricket being one of those, but she also had a bright future in football and touch football,” he said.
“When Lucy started at Shalom, we knew of her sporting talent and I personally knew the cricketing potential she had to offer.”
Shalom supports Lucy in cricket dream
Simon said the talented sports star became part of the Wide Bay and Qld Schools Cricket representative system and Wide Bay and Qld Club Cricket representative pathway.
He said the Shalom High Performance Program also helped Lucy through the management of her elite sporting workloadwith her academic and schooling life.
“Shalom could not be prouder of what Lucy has achieved at such a young age,” Simon said.
“To be the second youngest debutant ever for Qld in the WNCL, at only 15, is a remarkable achievement.
“Lucy, like all Shalom students, work extremely hard to achieve their goals.
“A huge future awaits Lucy in the world of cricket!”
When the pace bowler isn't taking her turn on the pitch, she still attends the college and lives in Bundaberg with her family.
“She is very happy being part of the Shalom community and Queensland Cricket are also very happy for her to stay in Bundy,” Simon said.
“It is a huge effort from Lucy’s parents to transport her most weekends to the Sunshine Coast/Brisbane to play grade cricket, but it is just what you do for your kids.
“Credit also needs to go to her local club, Across the Waves, and in particular to her coach, Noel Stitt.”
Coach proud of Lucy's commitment
Noel Stitt has been coaching Lucy for four years and said it was fantastic to see her go from strength to strength.
“Lucy as an 11-year-old played in the Queensland cricket team for her age group and from there she has continued to develop and play well,” he said.
“To be honest, she has matched it with most of the boys at most of the clubs and rep teams!
“She has also had a lot of girls from the Wide Bay area that she has seen go through the cricket community as well, which she has looked up to.
“They have all come through and excelled and now Lucy is part of that.”
Noel said to see Lucy accomplishing so much at such a young age was a proud moment.
“It is huge,” he said.
“I have seen lots of people go through but for someone like Lucy, at 15, it definitely is a proud moment but also, I feel overwhelmed because it is so great to see her there!”
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