Scott Boland 2021 Taverners Indigenous Player of the Year
We all watched Scott Boland’s dreams come true in the Boxing Day Test. But did you know Scott was awarded the Taverners Australia Indigenous Player of the Year Award in 2019, and now for a second time in June 2021?
Boland was part of the Aboriginal XI that traveled to the United Kingdom to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first international cricket tour by a team from Australia in 1868.
“Scott had a great year and thoroughly deserves the recognition for his performances in the Sheffield Shield and with the men’s Aboriginal XI on their 150-year commemorative tour of the UK,” CA interim executive general manager team performance Belinda Clark said.
“Scott played an important role with the Aboriginal XI, his performances crucial in his sides’ wins over the MCC, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Surrey. He is a terrific athlete and wonderful role model to young indigenous kids.”
Melbourne-born and Victorian player Boland also claimed this year’s Sheffield Shield Player of the Season Award with 15 votes, ahead of Harris, Maddinson and Wade (14 votes). In nine Shield appearances, Boland took 45 wickets at an average of 19.8. Scott also featured in Victoria’s JLT One-Day Cup win and Melbourne Stars’ run to the BBL final.
– Pictured: Taverners Australia National Chairman John Jeffreys presenting Scott Boland with the Taverners Indigenous Player of the Year Award in 2019.
Congratulations to Scott Boland, his dedication, hard work and achievements have lead to a legendary “dreamtime” Test debut in Melbourne and Sydney, that will go down in cricketing history.
Scott so deserves this recognition as only the 2nd Aboriginal man to play at Test level after Jason Gillespie (1996) and fourth overall, including Aunty Faith Thomas (1957) and Ashleigh Gardner (2019).
And to win the Mullagh Medal at the MCG was huge for inspiring young and up and coming indigenous cricketers. Cricket needs outstanding role models like Scott to grow indigenous cricket participation, an area Taverners Australia have long been supporting.
After the match Scott said, “Yeh, that’s what we, the aboriginal guys and girls who are playing first class cricket and Big Bash and stuff, it’s what we want… to help grow the game, we want cricket to be as big in the aboriginal community as NRL is and AFL is, so if this can go a step towards helping that then I’m happy.”