ARARAT’s Darcy Aitken has loved cricket all of his life and has his eyes set on playing in the United Kingdom next year.
Darcy started playing for Chalambar Cricket club when he was in primary school before progressing to Aradale and then Ballarat aged just 11.
He played for Wendouree for a season and then joined VRI in Delacombe where he has been ever since.
His mum Jobeena Lipscombe said Darcy is passionate about the sport.
“When he was in Ararat he represented Grampians in country week and every year since he’s represented Ballarat Cricket Association where they’ve had a lot of success,” she said.
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“Probably this season just gone has been his most successful as a young cricketer. He’s always been very talented, I’m pretty proud,” Jobeena said.
Darcy was one of the regional players chosen to play in the prestigious Craig’s Shield tournament in January while as part of a VCA squad playing for Brunswick.
His team won the grand final and Darcy was named man of the match.
Selectors were so impressed, they issued an invitation for him to play and train in the United Kingdom in July 2023.
Now the hard work begins.
His mum says Darcy has embarked on a mission to raise $6,400 to ensure he can participate in the trip.
“They’ve got to have an escort and we are all really happy but we have to find the money first.”
“It’s a 16 day tour. We get to bus it together and fly together and the cricketers get a lot of opportunities, including a training session at Lords,” she said.
“The idea is to go over to the UK and they’re doing all of these tour spots against the counties,” Jobeena said.
“He’s going such a long way and it is so big for him and our family. It has always been just me and the boys and to have him on centre stage is like, wow.”
Jobeena said the last 15 months has been a terrible time for her and Darcy.
“I had a spinal injury at work and had a fusion done and that didn’t work. I then found out I needed a second fusion and then I was terminated and on the verge of losing my house and Darcy has still put his head down and done this. It’s really important for me that he can realise his dream,” she said.
“For him to push through and knuckle down when our world was falling apart, it was so hard on him. I’m just so proud of him, he’s living his dream,” Jobeena said.
Local residents can support Darcy’s trip by donating via several collection tins placed around Ararat at Sicilians, We’re Knot Crazy, Fred and Betts, Two Tags, Intersport, Chalambar Golf Club and Ararat RSL.
“I felt kind of humble asking people to put out tins, I don’t want people thinking they are paying for me because I can sort that out. This is for Darcy,” she said.
Direct donations can be made to “Darcy’s UK Trip”. BSB 013504 account 327663623.