A high achieving wicket-keeper/batsman from Laurieton has been named as the 2011 Bradman Scholar.
Andrew Lowe, now based in Sydney for study and cricket commitments, was the successful applicant in a field that reflected the cream of young Australians involved in cricket.
Lowe will receive $5000 per annum for up to three years to assist him to complete his Bachelor of Business in Sports Management at the University of Technology.
Alongside his studies, Lowe is a top order batsman for First
Grade Northern District Cricket Club, a casual cricket coach at Barker College and assists disabled cricketers in the Special Olympics Program.
Executive Director of the Bradman Foundation, Rina Hore, said that the Bradman Scholar was chosen based on their blend of academic, sporting (cricket), personal and social skills. The program is part of the Foundation’s charter to assist in the development of youth through cricket.
“Andrew is an outstanding musician and the panel were impressed by his proven success at balancing a range of demands, and his commitment to acquiring an education, while developing his cricket and music career,” she said.
“The applicants for this year’s scholarship were particularly strong, however Andrew showed during the interview process that he truly embodied the values, such as honour and integrity, that we expect our scholar to impart in both his personal and professional life.
“His background shows that, apart from achieving at a high level in cricket, Andrew has also gained respect for his diligence and morals in the academic and social realms. We feel he is an excellent role model for young sportspeople who balance study and training comments,” said Ms Hore.
The selection panel for the scholarship includes former Australian Captain and former Bradman Foundation Chairman Ian Craig, CEO of Citigroup Stephen Roberts and The Hon John Howard, who are also current Foundation board directors.
Lowe’s cricket career includes being selected for the 2008 NSW Under-17s Country Squad, the 2009 NSW North Coast Under-19 New Zealand tour (where he was named Player of the Tour with an average of 73), and in the same year he was named as Captain of the North Coast Combined High Schools team.
He won Representative Player of the season and First Grade Rookie of the Year through his membership of the HRDCA (Port Macquarie).
In addition to these cricket honours, Lowe also earned Dux of Camden Haven High School, with his ATAR including the rank of fourth in the State in music.
More recently he was selected in the NSW Under-19 City representative squad and was named the Northern Districts Cricket Club’s Under-21 Player of the Season and leading run scorer in all grades, with 760 runs.
Lowe said that cricket has provided him with valuable experiences that had been key influences in shaping his life.
“I have become a keen student of the game and its history and hold the many greats of the game in high regard due to their courage, determination and humility,” he said.
“The Bradman Scholarship will provide much needed financial support, but more importantly it will assist to shape my career through which I can actively represent Don Bradman’s ideals and positively contribute to the development of the game.”
