ARARAT\u2019s Darcy Aitken has loved cricket all of his life and has his eyes set on playing in the United Kingdom next year.<\/p>\n
Darcy started playing for Chalambar Cricket club when he was in primary school before progressing to Aradale and then Ballarat aged just 11.<\/p>\n
He played for Wendouree for a season and then joined VRI in Delacombe where he has been ever since.<\/p>\n
His mum Jobeena Lipscombe said Darcy is passionate about the sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he was in Ararat he represented Grampians in country week and every year since he\u2019s represented Ballarat Cricket Association where they\u2019ve had a lot of success,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cProbably this season just gone has been his most successful as a young cricketer. He\u2019s always been very talented, I\u2019m pretty proud,\u201d Jobeena said.<\/p>\n
Darcy was one of the regional players chosen to play in the prestigious Craig\u2019s Shield tournament in January while as part of a VCA squad playing for Brunswick.<\/p>\n
His team won the grand final and Darcy was named man of the match.<\/p>\n
Selectors were so impressed, they issued an invitation for him to play and train in the United Kingdom in July 2023.<\/p>\n
Now the hard work begins.<\/p>\n
His mum says Darcy has embarked on a mission to raise $6,400 to ensure he can participate in the trip.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve got to have an escort and we are all really happy but we have to find the money first.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea is to go over to the UK and they\u2019re doing all of these tour spots against the counties,\u201d Jobeena said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jobeena said the last 15 months has been a terrible time for her and Darcy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a spinal injury at work and had a fusion done and that didn\u2019t 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\u2019s really important for me that he can realise his dream,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor him to push through and knuckle down when our world was falling apart, it was so hard on him.\u00a0 I\u2019m just so proud of him, he\u2019s living his dream,\u201d Jobeena said.<\/p>\n
Local residents can support Darcy\u2019s trip by donating via several collection tins placed around Ararat at Sicilians, We\u2019re Knot Crazy, Fred and Betts, Two Tags, Intersport, Chalambar Golf Club and Ararat RSL.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt kind of humble asking people to put out tins, I don\u2019t want people thinking they are paying for me because I can sort that out. This is for Darcy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Direct donations can be made to \u201cDarcy\u2019s UK Trip\u201d. BSB 013504 account 327663623.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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