WBBL: Sydney Thunder gun Anika Learoyd has big fan in Steve Irwins son Robert

This player has attracted Steve Irwin’s son Robert as a fan for her cricket game but especially for her work and passion off the pitch.

Sydney Thunder WBBL player Anika Learoyd with eight month old wombat Reidy Bear. Pic: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

This Sydney Thunder cricketer travelled the country as a homeschooled kid in a motor home. Now she’s doing it as part of the game she loves.

There’s nothing orthodox about Anika Learoyd’s pathway to the WBBL and position as one of the rising stars of the game.

For one thing the teenager spent years travelling the country in a motor home with her family.

For another she was home schooled and when the travel stopped, lived on a 22 acre property at Corindi Beach, near Coffs Harbour, her father turned into a wildlife sanctuary and planted 3000 trees.

Sydney Thunder player Anika Learoyd at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary feeding Kangaroos. Pic: Sarah Reed/Getty Images.

“He did most of it himself but we all pitched in,’’ Learoyd said.

It’s an upbringing that explains a lot about Learoyd’s two passions in life - cricket and wildlife.

The latter recently saw Robert Irwin, son of the late TV personality Steve, send her a special message while in Tasmanian playing in the WBBL.

The Irwin family from Instagram - Robert and Terri Irwin with Chandler Powell and Bindi Irwin and their daughter Grace Irwin-Powell.

“We wanted to wish you all the best with all things Sydney Thunder and everything coming up this summer. It’s incredible,’’ said Irwin in the video message.

“On behalf of my whole family we want to say thank you for your passion for wildlife and for conservation. We definitely need more people like you standing up and fighting the good fight for wildlife.’’

Learoyd, 19, now based at Ryde and playing for Campbelltown Camden in grade cricket this summer, is spending her time off field doing a Bachelor of Animal Science with a major in wildlife management.

Anika Learoyd at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.

Unable to return to her home since May due to Covid restrictions, she managed to get her ‘‘animal fix’’ visiting a wildlife sanctuary in Tasmania.

“I didn’t want to leave. I miss them so much,’’ Learoyd said.

The young gun made her “unofficial debut’’ last week in the WBBL after her official one last season was washed out in Saturday’s game against Adelaide.

“Now I just want to play as many as I can,’’ said the talented right handed batter.

“It was a little daunting but very exciting.’’

Learoyd playing for NSW at the National indigenous championships.

Learoyd believes her unusual upbringing has made her a more independent, resourceful and resilient cricketer with sport helping her with her social skills while being home schooled.

“I know it has given me independence,’’ she said.

“I moved away from home at 18 and know I coped better I think.

“I’m pretty self sufficient which is good.’’

Sydney Thunder’s next outing in the WBBL is against the Sydney Sixers on Saturday in Launceston.

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Originally published as WBBL: Sydney Thunder gun Anika Learoyd has big fan in Steve Irwins son Robert