For his teammates and friends, Ben Austin, or better known as BA, was a true sportsman, not only in skill but as someone who always strove to do and be better as a person and player.
The 17-year-old was described by Ferntree Gully Cricket Club player Daniel Salan as a “beautiful, respectful and kind young man who was mature beyond his years”, and as “talented and passionate, with a bright future ahead of him” by VAFA Umpires Association President, Michael Evans.
Ben’s father Jace Austin said on Thursday that “He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life” but that love was also reciprocated by all who knew him.
“His love for his family, his friends and his sports were the core of who he was, someone that was always striving to be the best he could be,” Mr Salan said.
“He was a leader both on and off the field and someone that every person loved to be around.”
As someone who loved both codes of cricket and football, as an umpire, Ben was incredibly admired.
“This was Ben’s first year as a boundary umpire with the VAFA and he achieved so much in such a short time. Ben showed much promise, being selected to umpire the Premier Men’s Reserves Grand Final – a significant achievement in his first year with us,” Mr Evans said.
Ben’s boundary umpire coach Shaun Bourke echoed that sentiment.
“Ben was an outstanding young man. Despite living in Ferntree Gully, he umpired all across metro Melbourne and was always happy to help us out, often doing a second game,” he said.
“Ben had all the ingredients to make it to the higher levels. He was coachable, athletic, passionate and a good teammate.”
The gathering of players, friends and community members at Wally Tew Reserve in the days after Ben’s death was evidence of the impact Ben had on so many lives in his years.
Sitting at times in mournful silence and at other times in reminiscent conversations at the cricket nets at the reserve throughout Thursday and Friday, those who knew Ben were wrapped in support by each other.
Mr Salan said it was a great honour to have been able to walk beside Ben on many occasions, from the Fifth XI to his First XI debut.
“The smile on his face when he received his First XI baggy blue will forever be etched into our memories, I have never seen someone so proud,” he said.
“He earnt that baggy blue through sheer hard work, dedication to bettering himself every day and through being a respectful and team-orientated team mate.”
The campaign, Bats out for Ben, has seen the likes of the Barmy Army honour and pay tribute to Ben Austin, as well as around the country.
“The number 512 will forever be etched into our Ferntree Gully’s history and there is no more deserving young man to have his legacy shared around the world,” Mr Salan said.
The Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association cancelled all games for the weekend of 1 and 2 November out of respect. The neighbouring league, the Ringwood and District Cricket Association, held a minute of silence and wore black armbands for every match.
