Adelaide’s Nick Patterson honoured to accept SACA Volunter of the Year award on behalf of his late father, Greg

Adelaide cricketer Nick Patterson says his dad, Greg, would probably feel like he didn’t deserve to be named SACA’s Volunteer of the Year. But Nick was humbled to accept the award on behalf of Greg, who died in January.

Greg Patterson, the late father of Adelaide Cricket Club's Nick Patterson, was named Premier Cricket’s Volunteer of the Year. Nick at home with his mum, Barb, and sister, Jessica. Picture: AAP/Dean Martin)

NICK Patterson’s dad, Greg, was a modest man who would do anything for his children.

Greg was also an unsung hero at Nick’s grade cricket club, Adelaide, for the past 15 years.

Greg died in January due to complications with an infection in his heart valve.

He was 53.

A family photo of Nick Patterson (left) with his mum, Barb, sister, Jessica, and their late father, Greg. Picture: AAP/Dean Martin

“He was always someone I could count on,” Nick, 21, says.

“He was the sort of person who was there for anyone who asked him to do something and he would do it without complaining.

“He had been involved at the cricket club since I was about eight or nine.

“He was my under-13 coach for two years and … he knew how to fix everything so he would just do all that stuff for the club.”

The SA Cricket Association last month recognised Greg’s tireless work at Adelaide, including as team manager and junior coach, by naming him its Volunteer of the Year.

Nick, a right-arm pace bowler, accepted the award on behalf of his dad at the Bradman Medal count.

Adelaide cricketer Nick Patterson receiving the SACA Volunteer of the Year award on behalf of his late father, Greg, with Cricket Australia's Vanessa Walker. Picture: Simon Stanbury

“I just think it’s a great recognition for him and the amount of things he did behind the scenes,” says Nick, who only featured in six A-grade games this past season due to stress fractures in his back.

“It was pretty humbling to accept it and I’m sure he would’ve been like ‘I don’t deserve it’ – that’s the sort of person he was.

“Most of the boys in our A-grade side knew him.

“Dad coached them when they were 11 or 12, so I think he had that bond with them, too.”

Nick says his family, including his mum Barb, 53, and sister Jessica, 19, have appreciated Adelaide’s support since his dad’s death.

“I still miss him every day,” he says.

“I can’t thank the cricket club enough for what they have done over the past three months.

“Every person at that cricket club is like a brother to me, especially in the A grade.

“I’ve never been closer with them and I don’t know what I’d do without them.”