By Parker McKenzie
Last week, the Star Mail reported on Boronia local Heath Snooks’ journey to represent the Victorian Vikings at the National Cricket Inclusion Championships.
Following the end of the competition on Friday 10 February, Snooks achieved his aim of helping the Vikings win the title three years in a row and bringing ‘the threepeat’ back home to Victoria.
Snooks said it was a special moment the first time he made it out onto the cricket pitch.
“Knowing the fact that I’m finally here after all the hard work and dedication I’ve put in and setbacks I’ve endured over the course of my journey, I finally got my chance to shine,” he said.
“It was a real thrill to be there and for it to finally be go time.”
Snooks was on the reserve list for the Vikings team competing at the NCIC, which runs the competition for intellectually disabled competitors.
He said personally, the tournament went “really well” for him.
“I got the chance to shine with the bat on two occasions against South Australia and Western Australia, and on both occasions, I ended the innings not out,” he said.
“Even though it was only a small amount of runs, they all still contributed to the score line in the end.”
Before the tournament, Snooks told the Star Mail it was his goal to be part of the team that won the Championships a record three times.
He said when he and the Victoria Vikings team achieved it, he was “lost for words.”
“There were a lot of hugs and tears of joy going around, and once I finally got that trophy in my hand I got quite emotional.”
“It was really special for me being part of history and knowing the journey I’ve had to get to this point.”
Snooks plays his club cricket in the All Abilities Cricket Competition in Victoria for North Croydon and he said he is thankful for the support the club has given him.
“This wouldn’t have been possible if I didn’t have the support of President Ryan Sleeman and everyone involved,” he said.
“Before the next tournament comes around I’ll continue to work on more shot selections so I can be considered for future selection in that starting eleven.”
The NCIC ran from Sunday 5 February until Friday 10 February in Brisbane, and also featured a blind and deaf competition running concurrently.
