ualities and values esJ

Young cricketer Amit Balgi from Wollongong is named 2014 Bradman Scholar

W:~::!:::nd dentistry stu den t Am.it Balgi was recentl y announced as the Brad.man Scholar for 2014, beating 60 other applicants around the COlllltry.

The scholar ship gives Amir an allowance of $5,000 a year for three years to ass ist witl1 his tertiary stud)7 expenses. He is undertaking a Bachelor of Dental Science degree at Charles Sturt U niversity.

However, for A.tnit, the scholars h ip means much more than a doUar figure.

The Bradman Scholarship, first awarded b y the Bradman Foundation in 1990, rewards exceUence in spore, education and community involvement.

For legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar just being With Sir Vii,:· --.___ mentioned in the ' 011 Richards same breath as Sir Donald Bradman is a privilege Bur even he cannot lay clain1 ro being a Bradman Scholar.

J\.mit was chosen as the 18' winner of the sch olarship b y a panel of highl)r-distinguisbed names, including Bradman Foundation Chairman Dr Maurice Newman AC and forme r Prime :tvlinisrer J ohn Howard OM AC.

"He (Amit] certainly embodies the l eadership qualities and values es p oused by Sir Donald Bradman such as dignity, iocegri l:)~ ambition, determination and modesty," said Brad.man FoLmdation Executive Director, Ms Rina Hore.

Amit applied for the scho larship after seeing an advertisement in his cricket club's weekly newsletter.

"After reaclin g what the scholarship entailed, that is, being likened to Sir Donald Bradman, the greatest cricketer or even sportsman of aU rime, l just had to apply," claimed Amit.

"] admire the great man, in a.LI aspects of his career, bot11 o n 32 and off the field I thought that applying for this scholarship would firstl y be an honour and secondly a cha.nee fo r me to reflect o n the person I've become".

Late last month Amit received a call from tl1e Bradman Fmmdation ·while he was in class practici ng root canals.

" That's when I was told that 1 had been awarded tbe scholarship. I h onestly couldn't believe it, and I had to sit down while Ms Hore from the Foundation detailed what d1e next step wou ld be," he said.

As a yo ung teenager, Amit invested countless hours into improving h is fitness, skills and technique on tbe cricket field.

Over an 18-year career, Amit has represented llla\\-'lttra Cricket, Emerging SW Blues, Cmmcry Cricket, NSW Schoo.ls Country and p layed in first grade teams in I llawarra and Orange

"le is as much mental as it is phys ical," Amit said, "It can be both a team and an individual game".

For Amit, a career high.light so far is being selected Lwice to play io tl1e Smmping Serious Diseases Charity match, whe re he found himself p laying alongsid e Adam Gilchrist, Viv Richards and Brian Lara.

Amit speaks passionately about bis love for the game saying he enjoys tl1e certain calmness of crkket as weU as tbe sudden thrill and intens ity. He claimed thar cricket has improved all aspects of his life and has helped him de\7 elop in teamwork, communication, determination and humility.

"I love the game, and I owe the game for everrth.ing. The people I've met, the experiences I've had, and for tl1e person 1 have become. I would not hav e been awarded dus scholarship if ir were nor for the game of cricket".

Amit has also been involved with community organisations and charities, including St John's Ambulance, Vision Australia, Lifeline and the Indian Australian Culm.ral Assoc iation. He also visited India co help tbe less fortunate.

" I've met a.mazing people tl1rough these experiences and have learnt a great deal about people roday, inequalities in society, and the difficulties people with disabilities face," be said

Of his trip to India, Amit claimed it was an eye-opening exper ience that contr ibuted co Lus ambition co work i.o a health profession.

"J\t tl1is moment, f'm tl)'ing ro learn m o re about rural health and inequalities in he.a.Ith access within Australia, and I'm hoping d1at I can continue to study and work in a rural environn1em lon g after mr graduation," he sa id.

Upon reflecting on this g1:eat honour, Amit is d1rilled and overwhelmed

"l t means everything to me to be the Brad.man Scl10lar this year. T o even be mentioned in the same sentence as d1e g reat man, i s an honour and a privilege".

According to Amit, being awarded the scholarship has taught hinl what it means to be a good person, and what it means ro be a contributing member of