Former Australian great Adam Gilchrist, who revolutionised the role of a wicket-keeper batsman during his playing days will give the game back to a new role with the Lord’s Taverners Charity.
When they were looking for its inaugural national ambassador there was only one option and Gilchrist was only happy and keen to give back something to the game which has given him so much.
The Lord’s Taverners is a charitable organisation which runs through membership subscriptions, community partnerships and corporate, fundraising activities and donations. The causes for which funds are raised are very noble for the sport which includes improvement in indigenous cricket, blind cricket, cricket for the deaf and cricket for intellectually impaired and female participation in the game.
Hailing from Western Australia and being one of their favourite sons, Gilchrist was raised on the Northern NSW coast and it is where his father Stan launched a local branch of Taverners about 10 years ago according to reports in cricket.com.au.
“I’ve been involved to a lesser extent with the northern NSW branch, which my father established over 10 years ago,” Gilchrist said.
“He’s now involved at a national executive level with this organisation and they’ve asked me to come on board in this role. So I’m thrilled to be able to support it, and support all the programs that they run and provide for young disadvantaged people who are looking to pursue their dreams,” Gilchrist added.
Former Test cricketer Paul Sheahan will formally induct Gilly in the role of a brand ambassador on August 15 in a dinner event open to the public at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Gilchrist was happy to help the cause which was started by his father, as he received enormous support during his junior cricketing days.
“There’s no doubt a lot of time, financial investment, emotional investment comes from a lot of your supporters, not least your family and particularly your parents. Mum and Dad paved the way for me to be able to pursue my dreams, so it’s nice to support Dad and Mum, and the Taverners’ work, and repay them a little bit for sure,” Gilchrist said.
The charity has a close association with Cricket Australia and they play a role in events such as the Imparja Cup for Indigenous cricketers and also the National Cricket Inclusion Championships.
“Cricket Australia has been wonderful in their support of many charities over the years, and obviously the McGrath Foundation is one that comes right from the heart of the Australian cricket team in the form of Glenn McGrath,” said Gilchrist.
“We all knew and loved Jane, and it’s been extraordinary the way cricket has embraced that as a charity.
“And that’s certainly an area where Lord’s Taverners now, in partnership with Cricket Australia, are going to look to grow the fundraising efforts in bringing money into the game and injecting it back into cricket, and allowing the opportunities for young male and female cricketers to pursue those dreams.
“It’s not a charity that’s totally confined to cricket, but certainly it’s been well-supported by Cricket Australia, and with the McGrath Foundation you can see what that partnership can do, and the way that the public embrace it,” Gilchrist signed off.