By Parker McKenzie
Heath Snooks’ path to being a Victorian Vikings cricket player and representing his state at the upcoming National Cricket Inclusion Championships wasn’t an easy one.
“The first two times I tried out, I fell a bit short and got put on the reserve list,” he said.
“I took it on the chin and stayed committed and dedicated because this is something I’ve always wanted to do.”
The Boronia local wants to be a part of history when the Victorian representative side attempts to win the championships for a record three times in a row.
“Getting that phone call was probably the best day I’ve ever had and I was lost for words at the end,” Snooks said.
“What made the difference was I changed my skill level up, kept my fitness up to scratch and took the feedback Chris and our head coach Billy gave me.”
Victoria Vikings manager Chris Lane has helped develop the All Abilities Cricket competition in Victoria, which now has three divisions catering to the needs of the players.
He said the Melbourne All Abilities Cricket Association gives players like Snooks the opportunity to play in a competition for intellectually disabled people and provides a pathway to play for Victoria and potentially Australia.
“Heath is one of those people that has been on the cusp for a while, but he is an example of what practice and willing to improve all the time can do,” Mr Lane said.
“He’s got the opportunity now up in Brisbane to put himself in front of the Australian selectors with the championships.”
The Australian Inclusive Cricket team plays an Ashes series against England and test matches against countries like South Africa and India, and at the NCIC Snooks will have the opportunity to be picked he performs strongly.
Mr Lane said the reason Victoria performs so well in both the Inclusion Championships and representation in the Australian team is because of the level of competition available in the state.
“Victoria is so far ahead of the other states in providing that local competition,” he said.
“The majority or a good portion of the squad of the Australian team comes from Victoria, and 12 of the 14 players in the squad competing next week play in the Melbourne All Abilities Competition.”
Snooks was picked as a Victorian Viking for his batting — “We have enough guys who throw pies,” Lane jokes, but Snooks describes it as “hit and miss” bowling — and he said he is always trying to continue to evolve his game.
“I try to incorporate an all-round shot section, but predominantly I’m more aggressive when the ball is in my zone,” he said.
“Chris himself has really been emphasizing and trying to encourage playing more shots off to the side, but these things take time. The more we practice at it, the more you’ll be able to achieve those shots down the track.”
Snooks and Lane have a storied past together, with Lane his first coach when he picked up a bat a decade ago.
“He’s been a massive part of my life in cricket. He’s taught me so much, even though sometimes I still don’t listen to him,” Snooks said.
“I wouldn’t have made it as far as I have if it wasn’t for the support he has given me across this journey.”
Lane said the association simply gives the players an opportunity to do what they love out on the cricket field.
“All we do with the clubs is provide a vehicle for them to shine because we see it as a program, not just a competition,” he said.
“It’s growing every year; we are very measured in our growth because we are a volunteer organisation.”
There are others who have facilitated Snooks’ success too.
He said the support from Croydon North Cricket Club and President Ryan Sleeman has been a huge benefit to his cricketing career.
“The fact is just this the support that I’ve had around me in the course of the journey has been extraordinary,” he said.
“Honestly it’s a massive honour and I really hope we can bring back the threepeat.”
The NCIC will run from Sunday 5 February until Friday 10 February in Brisbane, and also features a blind and deaf competition running concurrently.
