 For most Australians indoor cricket is the ‘other’ bat and ball game. A pastime for cricketers in the off-season or a few mates after work, it is often unrecognised by the media in the days of headline grabbing sledging and IPL player auctions. But for one young local athlete, Brendan Cartledge, the dream of representing Australia is very much alive.
Born and bred in Shellharbour, Brendan’s first introduction to the sport, like most kids, was as a bit of off-season fun in between cricket seasons. It was clear, however, that his true passion and talent was for indoor cricket. When selected for the NSW U18 side he doubted that he would even start, let alone open, the bowling. Lucky for him he wasn’t picking the teams; in the first two deliveries of the first match he bowled out the batsmen, leaving the opposition score at minus 10.
Not only has he represented the state at a junior level but the country as well. In his year on the Junior Australian team, the international tournament was held at the Queensland AIS. While some may suggest Queensland to be another country, the dream of most young players to fly to far off corners of the globe playing for their country has been left unfulfilled for Brendan. But this has not perturbed him.
He currently plays with Shellharbour in the Sydney Super League competition. Last year Shellharbour made the grand final of the competition. Shellharbour’s Coach David Norman, seeing the promise in his side, encouraged his players to try out for the State representative teams. A huge influence and support for Brendan, Norman was well founded in his encouragement.
This year Brendan left for the state trials in Tamworth and Newcastle. Impressing the selectors, he made the inaugural NSW Cyclones indoor cricket team.
Representing regional NSW the Cyclones will make their debut in the National titles on 29 June at Ipswich Indoor sports in Queensland. From there Brendan could be selected to represent Australia in the senior men’s team to take on New Zealand, South Africa, England or Sri Lanka.
In between playing and training for the Cyclones and Shellharbour, Brendan studies at Wollongong University. Halfway through his IT degree, he has shown promise, being accepted by IBM with an internship.
But with all of his successes on and off the field, there remains one hurdle for Brendan to overcome.
The nomination fee, accommodation, uniforms, transport and medical costs, mean that the team needs sponsors for the upcoming tournament.
Because of this, in his spare time, Brendan has been door-knocking local businesses for support. The Cyclones represent regional NSW and so offer a golden opportunity for local businesses to be represented on a national stage.
If you are interested in a Gold, Silver or Bronze sponsorship package with the Cyclones, please call Brendan on 0416 537 630.
Wolves get clean sweep over Bankstown
The Wollongong Wolves had a great series of home games against Bankstown in the Premier Youth League soccer last weekend. Both the under 18s and 16s had convincing wins. The 18s won 5 – 1 and now sit in 5th spot on the ladder.
The Wolves 16s had a good 3 – 1 win over Bankstown even though their opponents are well above them on the ladder. The undefeated under 15s had a comprehensive 6 – 1 win over Bankstown and now sit in 4th spot on the ladder with a game in hand. Both the 14s and 13s had 1 nil wins
Wests Cardinals continue run in Baseball
Wests Cardinals continued their perfect start to the 2008 IBL season, overcoming a powerful start by the Kiama Braves to snatch an 8-5 win at Gainsborough Reserve, Kiama Downs. The other scheduled game between the Berkeley Eagles and Bulli Pirates was washed out at Fred Finch Park, Berkeley.
Braves poured in five runs in the opening inning but were held scoreless for the next seven digs as the Cards went on to score seven runs and grab their third win. Cards posted a run in the top of the first inning with Lee Vlasoff knocking in Chase Richardson.
Braves quickly responded in the bottom of the dig, producing five runs through RBI hits by Evan Hayes, Anthony Larson and Scott Baumann.
Wests scored three runs in the second to pull within one run at 4-5, with Jamie Simon, Trent D'Antonio and Graham Fulcher each connecting on RBI hits.
Cards starting pitcher Blake Handley kept the Braves scoreless for the next four innings, before helping his cause with the bat in the sixth dig by scoring Scott Sartori with a single to right field.
Handley then scored on a ground-out by Jamie Simon, before Chase Richardson reached base on a walk and scored on a wild pitch to put the visitors in front 7-5.
Jamie Simon pitched three shut-out innings in relief to seal the win, conceding just two hits, while striking out five.
Handley allowed five earned runs on nine hits with four strike outs in five innings of work and for the Braves Doug Ineson pitched six innings, conceding seven earned runs on nine hits.
Matt Sneddon had a resourceful game for Kiama, pitching two innings in relief for one earned run with three strike outs, while also going 2 from 5 with the bat.
Chase Richardson batted 2 from 3 and Blake Handley batted 2 from 4 for Cardinals, while Anthony Larson and Scott Baumann each batted 2 from 4 for Kiama.
Next week’s round four fixtures features the grand final rematch between the Berkeley Eagles and Wests Cardinals at Cringilla Park and the Dapto Chiefs hosting the Bulli Pirates at Hector Harvey Reserve. Kiama Braves have the bye but play lower grade games against Shoalhaven Mariners at Gainsborough Reserve, Kiama Downs.
Videos of local Sports on YOCTV
 If you have an interesting sporting video please contact the Sportslive Director as indicated at the bottom of this column.
More Stories?
For more local sports stories go to www.wollongong.sportslive.com.au
If you want publicity for your sport please contact the Sportslive Director at YouronlineCommunity office on 4254 0200 or to email click here-> | 
