Gilchrist to fill Lord’s Taverners role
Australian legend Adam Gilchrist will give back to the game through a new role with the Lord’s Taverners charity
When the Lord’s Taverners charity was looking for its inaugural national ambassador, there really was only one option.
And Baggy Green legend Adam Gilchrist was only too happy to heed the call and give back to the game that has given him so much.
The Lord’s Taverners is a charitable organisation that exists through membership subscriptions, corporate and community partnerships, fundraising activities and donations. Funds are distributed to worthy causes, primarily in the areas of Indigenous cricket, blind cricket, cricket for the deaf, cricket for the intellectually impaired and female participation in sport.
A favourite son of Western Australia, Gilchrist was born and raised on the northern NSW coast. And that’s where his father, Stan, launched a local branch of the Taverners more than a decade ago.
“I’ve been involved to a lesser extent with the northern NSW branch, which my father established over 10 years ago,” Gilchrist said.
“He’s now involved at a national executive level with this organisation and they’ve asked me to come on board in this role.
“So I’m thrilled to be able to support it, and support all the programs that they run and provide for young disadvantaged people who are looking to pursue their dreams.”
Fellow former Test cricketer Paul Sheahan will formally induct Gilchrist into the role as national ambassador at the SCG on August 15 in a dinner event open to the public.
Tickets are available now with proceeds going to the many charities supported by the Taverners.
Australia’s greatest wicketkeeper-batsman was only to happy to help his father’s work, knowing full well how much support he had received in his junior cricket days.
“There’s no doubt a lot of time, financial investment, emotional investment comes from a lot of your supporters, not least your family and particularly your parents,” Gilchrist said.
“Mum and Dad paved the way for me to be able to pursue my dreams, so it’s nice to support Dad and Mum, and the Taverners’ work, and repay them a little bit for sure. ”
The charity takes its name from the London venue that is the home of cricket because the original founders congregated at a pub, where the Tavern Stand now sits. The Australia branch was formed in 1982 and now has grown to 11 branches in all states and territories of Australia with some 2,500 members.
There are close links between the charity and Cricket Australia, and they share a role in events such as the Imparja Cup for Indigenous cricketers, as well as the National Cricket Inclusion Championships.
“Cricket Australia have been wonderful in their support of many charities over the years, and obviously the McGrath Foundation is one that comes right from the heart of the Australian cricket team in the form of Glenn McGrath,” said Gilchrist.
“We all knew and loved Jane, and it’s been extraordinary the way cricket has embraced that as a charity.
“And that’s certainly an area where Lord’s Taverners now, in partnership with Cricket Australia, are going to look to grow the fundraising efforts in bringing money into the game, and injecting it back into cricket, and allowing the opportunities for young male and female cricketers to pursue those dreams.
“It’s not a charity that’s totally confined to cricket, but certainly it’s been well-supported by Cricket Australia, and with the McGrath Foundation you can see what that partnership can do, and the way that the public embrace it.”
Adam Gilchrist will be inducted as the Lord’s Taverners National Ambassador in the Steve Waugh Dining Room of the SCG on August 15 from 7-10pm. Tickets are available here
Original story via cricket.com.au
