BAY and Basin’s junior cricket sensation, Sam Stubbs, is preparing to bowl for the NSW Special Olympic’s cricket team at the upcoming Junior National Games.
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The promising leg spinner will join his NSW team-mates at the tournament in Newcastle from December 6 to 10.
The Junior National Games is an initiative of Special Olympics Australia and gives the likes of Sam the spinner the chance to play sport at an elite level.
Sam plays for the Bay and Basin Cricket Club’s under 14s side and is renowned for his bowling skills.
The Junior National Games selectors took note of the hat-trick the soon to be 14-year-old year 7 St John the Evangelist High School student took last year and had been watching his form this season as well.
Sam’s father Chris said his son was a natural cricketer.
“He copied Shane Warne after watching him once on television,” Mr Stubbs said.
“The ball comes out well from the back of Sam’s hand.
“I don’t where his ability came from but I know it was not from me.”
Bowling is Sam’s strength but he holds his own in the other aspects of the sport.
Being naturally strong, Sam can hit the ball hard and he is prepared to work hard in the field
Mr Stubbs said his son was looking forward to playing for NSW.
“Sam is very excited about the event particularly the opening and closing ceremonies where he will get to march out with his NSW team,” Mr Stubbs said.
Sam also enjoys his Saturday morning cricket with his Bay and Basin team-mates, even though they do not win too many matches.
Mr Stubbs said Sam’s club mates just loved being together and enjoying each other’s company.
Sam’s club coach Jo Kelly agreed that the promising leg spinner was a team player.
“Sam is a great kid to coach and he always tries hard,” she said.
As a coach, Kelly said she had only had to help Sam with his line and length.
Kelly said Sam had also been working hard on his batting.
“When he gets on to it (the ball) it goes,” she said.
Cricket is not the only sport Sam excels in.
He is a strong swimmer and plays Australian Football with the Bay and Basin Bombers.
Meanwhile, at the Newcastle games, over 250 athletes with an intellectual disability, from all states and territories, will compete in aquatics (swimming), athletics, basketball, cricket, football (soccer) and tennis.
There will also be skills activities in t-ball, gymnastics, cricket, basketball, football and tennis.