Widely recognised as Australia’s best cricket captain since Bradman, Steve Waugh is known for his leadership on the field – but it is his going in to bat for young adults with rare diseases that brought him and a team of 65 fellow cyclists to Armidale as part of a special charity ride on 3 November.
The inaugural Captain’s Ride, is an annual event supporting the Steve Waugh Foundation’s work in the area of rare diseases. The 900km ride from Sydney to Byron Bay, attracts leading business figures who each aim to raise $15,000 for the cause. Having ridden up the mountain from Gloucester to Walcha on Tuesday, the group were welcomed to Armidale at the TAS Hoskins Centre, where members of the school cricket team helped cook them a barbecue dinner and the TAS Singers provided entertainment that had the tired cyclists, shouting for more.
At their daily debrief, Steve Waugh spoke about the importance of the ride and the importance of raising the profile of rare diseases, particularly affecting young adults.
Year 8 student Kieran Dennis, whose talents have seen him play for the school’s First XI, said he was honoured to meet the cricketing legend.
“He asked me if I was a batsman or a bowler and how the season was going. It was pretty cool to meet him because he was such a good cricketer and Australian captain,” said Kieran, who had a bat and his copy of Waugh’s biography autographed by the star.
“It’s also really good that his foundation is fundraising for such a good cause.”
After a community breakfast at the Girraween Shopping Centre in west Armidale, the cyclists departed the next morning for the next leg of their journey, to Dorrigo.
Click on the image below to view a gallery of photos from the TAS function.
