Scholarship gives cricketers the full ANU experience

The demands of a university education are already challenging, before adding the pressures of playing sport into the mix. The Australian National University (ANU) Cricket Club (ANUCC) Scholarship helps students strike this balance.

Established by alumnus David Carland (MEc ‘74, PhD ‘78), the scholarship brings talented students from regional areas to study, live on campus, and play cricket at a competitive level at ANU. It has been supported through the years by club alumni and friends.

Lachie Simpson, a 2022 ANUCC Scholarship recipient, is pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He made the move from Perth to ANU after his high school coach told him about the scholarship. ANU having a strong team was already exciting, but the scholarship and the community around the club were key draws for Lachie.

Hayden Watling, a 2023 ANUCC Scholarship recipient, grew up in Tumut, NSW. Living in a small town, he did not have the resources to come to ANU to play the sport he loved at the level he wanted. The scholarship gave him the help he needed to pursue a Bachelor of Health Science. It relieved the stress around paying for accommodation and daily needs, so he could focus on studying and developing himself on the cricket team.

“[Being on a cricket team] improves your personal skills, determination and work ethic,” says Hayden.

Thanks to its donors, the ANUCC Scholarship continues to empower student athletes like Lachie and Hayden to come to ANU, connect with others who share their passion, and improve their career outcomes – all while playing the sport they love.

- LACHIE SIMPSON, 2022 ANUCC SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT