A rising star of Armidale cricket has been named the first recipient of a new scholarship honouring a local club stalwart.
Member of the East Armidale Cricket Club and Armidale Secondary College student, Brooke Moran, has been awarded the inaugural Waratahs Ian Campbell Scholarship, a program for cricketers aged under 16 playing in the Armidale District Cricket Association’s senior or junior competitions.
Brooke received her scholarship from The Tahs of Armidale president Andrew Davis at an awards ceremony at Cricket House at the Armidale Sportsground on Sunday, 10 August.
“In forming The Tahs in 2023 and reigniting connections for former members and friends of the former Waratahs Cricket Club, the Ian Campbell Scholarship was established so we might contribute to the future of ADCA cricket, a community that gave us so many fond memories and lifelong friendships,” Mr Davis said.
“A club stalwart, Ian Campbell dedicated much of his time at Waratahs to nurturing young talent, helping them to enhance their skills, respect the game, and grow as responsible young adults. We are thrilled to award the inaugural scholarship named in his honour to Brooke.”
At just 14 years of age, Brooke has already made her mark on the game. A talented left-arm opening bowler and middle order batter, she was selected in the NSW Girls All Schools under-12 squad for the 2022-23 season, the NSW Country Lions under-15 girls team in 2023-24, and more recently, in the NSW Girls All Schools under-15 squad to play in the national School Sport Australia Championships in September.
In her application, Brooke said her “ultimate goal is to hopefully one day play for the Australian women’s team and in the WBBL for the Brisbane Heat or Sydney Sixers but at the moment I’m just concentrating on developing skills and playing at the best of my ability and having fun with my friends and team mates. I love playing against the men and boys but my passion is playing along side and with all the girls where I have made some life long friends.”
As part of the scholarship, Brooke will have the opportunity to train with Sydney Premier Cricket’s Manly Warringah District Cricket Club – also nicknamed the Waratahs – with access to specialist coaching.
“We are very pleased to have the support of the Manly Warringah club. They run strong development pathway programs for boys and girls, and have equally strong connections with country cricket,” Mr Davis said.
The inaugural year of the scholarship program also saw a second award presented to another East Armidale Cricket Club player, Jacob Finlay. Like Brooke, Jacob is 14 and plays in the club’s second grade team. A specialist batter, he has achieved representative honours at under-15 level in both regional and school competitions.
Jacob received a gift certificate from Sportspower Armidale, and both recipients also received club caps and membership of The Tahs.
“We congratulate both Brooke and Jacob on their awards and welcome them to The Tahs family,” Mr Davis said.
“We are grateful for the support of the ADCA, Manly-Warringah District Cricket Club and Sportspower Armidale – and, particularly, for the generous support of the members of The Tahs that has made these awards possible.”
“We look forward to continuing to build the Waratahs Ian Campbell Scholarship fund and offering support to young promising cricketers in 2026 and the years beyond – just as we are able to do for Brooke and Jacob in 2025.”
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