Adam Zampa gives a leg up to Lismore cricket

Marist Brothers Cricket Club was honoured to host Aussie spin sensation Adam Zampa when he rocked up for the city’s first year flood anniversary. Here’s why.

Australian International leg-spinner Adam Zampa showcased spin bowling when he visited Lismore Marist Brothers Cricket Club on Tuesday.

Australian cricket star and Northern Rivers local Adam Zampa put his hand up to visit Marist Brothers Cricket Club on the one-year anniversary of the devastating Lismore floods.

The 30-year-old spinner toured the Marist Brothers club which was submerged under five metres of floodwater at the peak of the 2022 floods, destroying facilities and equipment.

The Aussie leggie saw first hand the carnage left in Lismore and Mullumbimby and wanted to help give something back to grassroots cricket.

“I’m a country boy myself and I know that country clubs need a lot of help with funding and getting help where they can,” he said.

Australian international cricketer Adam Zampa signs Marist Brothers cricketer Theo Rogusz's cap at the Mortimer Oval nets in Lismore.

Around 100 Marist Brothers cricketers - juniors through to seniors - converged at the Mortimer Oval nets to soak up the star aura.

“It’s all been good fun,” Zampa said after he was asked numerous times how to mankad.

“It’s really nice to be here. As a country boy growing up I never got to see any Australian cricket stars.”

Marist Brothers was one of 188 cricket clubs and organisations to receive grants from the Grassroots Cricket Fund in NSW this season.

Adam Zampa showcasing sends one down at Lismore.

“It’s heartbreaking to see what Lismore has had to endure but it’s unbelievable how the community has rallied to the challenge and remained stoic and optimistic,” Zampa said.

Marist Brothers used the $4000 it received from the Grassroots Cricket Fund to buy equipment that was damaged, destroyed or lost during the floods.

Club secretary Glen Lees said the money was vital.

“We’re so appreciative of this grant from the Australian Cricketers’ Association and Cricket Australia,” Mr Lees said.

“The flood destroyed almost everything and without funding like this there was no way our teams could train and compete.”

Australian international cricketer Adam Zampa oversees a skills clinic at the Mortimer Oval cricket nets.

“”It’s a really good thing to have Adam come here, as an Australian cricketer.

“You can see the effect that’s happening today on the kids just hanging around and I’m sure that’s something they’ll look back on in years to come.”

The Grassroots Cricket Fund is a partnership between the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) and Cricket Australia (CA) that has so far provided $10.6 million to support more than 2000 local clubs and centres.

This Grassroots Cricket Funding comes from contributions made by professional Australian cricketers.

Adam Zampa presents a bat to Lismore Marist Brothers Cricket Club president Matt Cleaver and secretary Glen Lees.

Marist Brothers Cricket Club Juniors president Luke Collings said players and families could now look forward to a normal season, weather permitting.

“During this difficult period our club supported anyone they could,” Mr Collings said.

“In the immediate aftermath it was reassuring that club members could assist our community.”

Adam Zampa made plenty of new mates at the Lismore Marist Brothers Cricket Club.

Zampa: “It really does show how cricket clubs offer far more than just sport.

“As Australian cricketers we all came from local clubs like Marist Brothers, which is why we’re proud to be able to help the grassroots.”