bowral

Statement: Botswana player Shameelah Mosweu’s visa has been denied

– Shaun Martyn, FairBreak Founder

We regret to inform you that, despite numerous representations to government officials in Australia and also to the Botswanan High Commission, we have been unable to secure a Visa for Shameelah Mosweu to take her place as part of a FairBreak Global XI in a historic cricket match against the first-ever Bradman Women’s XI in Bowral this Saturday, February 22, 2020.

Shameelah is an outstanding player and person. She is an international player for Botswana and took part in a FairBreak program in England in 2019. Shameelah impressed everyone with the quality of her play, and her commitment to her teammates and the broader FairBreak agenda. It was with great enthusiasm and pleasure that we invited her to be part of our program in Australia from February 17-23, 2020.

Shameelah has been denied that opportunity as she is deemed a flight risk. Shameelah is a University student in England sponsored by her Government and the Botswanan Sports Commission. It is absurd she is being considered a security risk.

The denial of this opportunity goes against everything that Australia aspires to in proclaiming a ‘fair go’ for all.

Shameelah is a great example for the young men and women of Botswana and every country where opportunities to perform on a world stage are limited. She deserves, as does everyone, the right to accept opportunities to showcase talent and continue to grow as a person and inspire.

The FairBreak XI typically consists of 12 players from 9 countries including 5 national captains; Shameelah’s absence will be greatly missed. In our game this weekend, our team will be captained by Wisden’s Captain of the Decade, Sana Mir from Pakistan. Sana is also the recent recipient of the Asian Game Changer Award, a humanitarian award recognising the great contribution an individual has made to Asia and the world.

We fully support Shameelah in every way we can and continue in our endeavours to have her as part of the team.

Shameela receiving her cap from Wisden’s captain of the decade Sana Mir in England 2019.

Shameela with Sterre Kalis from the Netherlands

Elle Williams2020-02-17T00:34:35-05:00February 17th, 2020|News|

Two FairBreak games and a High Tea on 22 February, Bowral

We hope you’ll join us for the very first FairBreak Global XI v Bradman XI game on 22 February, 2.15–5.00 pm.

We hope you’ll also come early for the preliminary match from 10.15 am–1.00 pm between FairBreak 2 and Sydney Cricket Club.

You’re also invited to join us at a High Tea with Ann Sherry AO, Chair of UNICEF, at Bradman Museum: 12.30 – 2.10 pm. $45 includes High Tea & Admission to the museum. For details or High Tea bookings,
visit www.bradman.com.au.

Thanks to: Gencor, Technology One, Vocus Communications.

Elle Williams2020-01-31T04:15:08-05:00January 31st, 2020|News|

Concentrate on the cricket, not the crowd size

– Shaun Martyn, FairBreak Founder

It’s only 24 days until the start of the cricket Women’s World T20 tournament, and 25 days until a FairBreak Global XI plays a Bradman Foundation XI in Bowral.

I wish all teams participating in the World T20 the very best of luck.

I hope everyone focuses on the cricket that will be played – on the game people are watching – not on the size of the crowd for the final.

We should be concentrating on world class performances from players, not breaking crowd records. If the latter happens, it’s a bonus.

The ‘sleeper’ for me in this tournament is South Africa. They have player depth and the experience many of their players have now had in the WBBL and the now defunct KIA Super League. It’s given them the belief they are as good as anyone. They no longer rely on a couple of players and their recent demolition of NZ should make everyone else a little nervous.

I also hope that a serious discussion is had around the number of teams in this tournament. You can’t talk about gender equality in your sport when 16 men’s teams will contest their tournament, but only 10 women’s teams will compete in theirs. That has to change for every tournament from here on. The game will never grow if that step is not immediately taken.

Our FairBreak XI will enjoy a great week of training, playing and development in Sydney and Bowral next month. Nine countries are represented in the team with four national captains. A number of players have been a part of previous FairBreak programs and we look forward to their continued development.

We also welcome some new #FairBreakers from the USA, Hong Kong, Vanuatu and England.

It will be an interesting and challenging experience for the FairBreak XI. Although they will work with Alex Blackwell again, Alex will captain the Bradman XI as a past Bradman Scholar in this historic match.

We are also hopeful Sana Mir will captain the FairBreak XI for this match, if she can make it to the event. Sana is a celebrated #FairBreaker and it would be fitting that two of the greatest players of all time could renew their rivalry in Bowral.

Roll on February 22 at Bradman Oval, Bowral.

Details about the two games to be played on February 22 here, or join the event on Facebook here.

Elle Williams2020-01-29T00:26:59-05:00January 29th, 2020|News|