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Baxter Holt
Baxter Holt
Business Owner
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
2 Likes
0 Followers



Someone asked me today about moments where I’ve shown resilience or faced hardships. Here’s what I shared:

I’m entering my seventh year of professional cricket, living out the dream of my childhood self. It’s been an incredible journey, taking me around the world and allowing me to play in front of thousands, hopefully inspiring the next generation to pursue their dreams. However, there are extreme lows in professional sports, just like in any career.

Over six years, I’ve been fit and available for 95 professional games at the state level, plus 28 in the BBL, totalling 123 games. Yet, I’ve only had the honour of playing 27 times—12 first-class games, 6 one-day games for Cricket NSW, and 9 for the Sydney Thunder. That means 96 times I’ve been told I’m not selected. My mind often spirals into thoughts like: I’m not good enough, I don’t belong, I’m an imposter, and I’ve let everyone down.

Many of you may have faced similar feelings, whether related to work, family, or school. So why do I keep returning each day despite a 79% rejection rate and the risk of letting others down?

To me, it’s simple: this is what I’m good at. It brings light into the world and provides a platform to share my journey, hopefully helping others. Those 27 games have been a privilege—whether playing in front of 45,000 at the SCG or representing my state. These are memories I cherish, and I know this is the best way to provide for my future family.

As I begin my seventh season in a state across the country and away from my loved ones, I’m excited for the opportunities WA Cricket has offered me. I’m grateful to continue this journey, hoping it extends far into the future.

I share this because, while my job may seem glamorous, it comes with its challenges and dark times. We are all human, capable of performing skills in sports or any field. It’s vital to share both hardships and successes, creating a safe space where everyone feels they belong and can be heard.

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2 months ago
Peter Langston
Peter Langston
Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia
35 Likes
4 Followers



Batting with Brian Ian Polar or his mate, David Ernest Pression is a dangerous pastime. Just when you think you are on top, a sudden unexpected runout can bring about the end of your innings and guess who they’ll blame. People watching face-palm in disbelief, cry in their grief that you blazing innings has been cut short.

Too many have gone that way, including one of my own cricketing favourites.

I’m a poet. This is how I’m feeling today …

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/194/peter-langston/blog/2312/another-one
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4 months ago
Daniel Rixon
Daniel Rixon
Business Coach
Sydney, NSW, Australia
1 Likes
0 Followers



4 mental Skills sessions over 4 nights working with the talented young cricketers from @philjaquesprocricket.

✅ Session 1: Goal Setting
- What are goals and how can we tailor them for ourself
- Sacrifice
- Making the plan
- Visualisation and positive affirmations
- Fool Proofing

✅ Session 2: Playing Fearless
- ABC of emotional intelligence
- Perception on risks
- Mindset on Stress

✅ Session 3: Focus
- Power of the suppressed mind
- Reticular Activation System
- Need To Achieve Vs Need to avoid failure

✅ Session 4: Concentration and focus
- investment of energy
- Sensory Stimulation
- Journaling for emotional Regulation
- Remaining present

🤔 Learning about yourself is the best investment we can ever make.

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4 months ago
Peter Procopis
Peter Procopis
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
27 Likes
5 Followers



A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to have an exchange with Greg Chappell about cricket. Greg suggested that the next frontier in performance would be in mental skills. I've been reflecting on that exchange recently. Through the prism of my two favourite sports, golf and cricket, the article below discusses the value of accepting imperfection while pursuing mastery. As usual, I encourage you to share your thoughts.

Like Golf, Cricket is definitely not a game of Perfect.

Dr Bob Rotella’s book, Golf is not a game of Perfect, contains numerous gold nuggets of wisdom for anyone serious about improving their sporting performance.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/946/peter-procopis/blog/2194/like-golf-cricket-is-definitely-not-a-game-of-perfect
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6 months ago
CricConnect Fans
CricConnect Fans
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
180 Likes
257 Followers



Hearty congratulations to teenager Rohan Handa who in November 2023 was presented with a British Citizen Youth Honours Award.

During lockdown, Rohan created and shared cricket and fitness videos (Youtube - Cricket Nuggets by Rohan Handa) to promote healthy living inspire and encourage others to keep fit and develop their cricket skills during isolation.

The medal presentation took place at the Palace of Westminster, and Rohan was invited to 10 Downing Street after the ceremony.

Well done Rohan – we hope you continue to enjoy your cricket.

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11 months ago
Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan
Founder
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
488 Likes
512 Followers



This isn’t a story about a game of cricket or a cricketer but it is for all cricket fans throughout Australia especially those with kids or grandkids between the ages of 8 and 14 (tweens or teens as they say).

I love promoting businesses when I can clearly see value they can add and bring to the community. It’s even better when the business is founded and owned by people within the cricket community.

My kids have progressed through their teenage years (well almost all the way through) and they’ve grown up with all the new technology platforms. They’ve been hooked, distracted, entertained, and interestingly become bored and tired of their negativity.

When I heard about Zown, I thought why not share it with as many people as possible.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/583/introducing-zown-to-cricket-fans-especially-mums-dads-and-grand-parents
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12 months ago
Andre Maddocks
Andre Maddocks
Business Advisor
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
5 Likes
1 Followers



The Second Spinner – A Story of Cricket and Mental Health

On the surface, I had a fortunate grade career. A couple of games in 1st grade, a handful in 2s, but generally speaking a middle to lower grader who was just happy to be out on the field, desperately trying to contribute. I wasn’t a great player, but I absolutely busted my gut. I attended every training session for seasons on end, and bowled for hours, put cricket before everything. I wanted to be a guy that others wanted to play with.

All the while though, when you live with anxiety – and many do, more than we realise – there is that little voice inside you that tells you that you aren’t good enough, you will get found out, your teammates don’t rate you, or even like you, and it is all going to fall away as quickly as it became important to you because that is what you deserve. You become pretty convincing, even though hindsight shows that the anxiety is only you talking to yourself.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/166/andre-maddocks/blog/993/the-second-spinner-ndash-a-story-of-cricket-and-mental-health
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