The Ballarat sporting community is mourning the loss of one of its leaders

The Ballarat sporting community is mourning the loss of one of its leaders after star cricketer and Ballarat-Redan First XI captain Jayden Hayes died.

Ballarat-Redan captain Jayden Hayes. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The Ballarat sporting community is in mourning after the shock passing of a star cricketer.

At just 30, Jayden Hayes died in his sleep on Wednesday.

The talented sportsman was captain of Ballarat Cricket Association club Ballarat-Redan’s First XI and also a stalwart of the Rokewood-Corindhap football club in the Central Highlands league.

Just days earlier he had played a key part in the Two Swords’ big win over reigning Division 1 premier East Ballarat.

Hayes’ father, and BCA operations officer, Paul Hayes confirmed the devastating news on Facebook.

Jayden Hayes (right) with two Rokewood-Corindhap teammates.

“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I must tell you that our son Jayden Hayes passed away this morning, Wednesday the 30th of October, in his sleep,” Hayes wrote.

“For those who know Jayden it would appear he had a medical episode in his sleep.

“We are devastated and will miss him enormously.

“It will be especially obvious on Saturday when the Ballarat-Redan Cricket Club 1st XI enter the field without him, but he will still be cheering from somewhere.

“We understand this will be a shock to all his friends and club mates but rest easy in the fact that he enjoyed life to the fullest and that he appreciated each and every one of you.”

Hayes was appointed First XI captain in 2016-17 and served as a junior coach at Ballarat-Redan.

He represented the Ballarat association in Melbourne Country Week, captained the Central Highlands Under-21s and played for Vic Country.

While only two matches into the year, Hayes was the 13th leading run-scorer in the competition after posting 419 runs at 35 and taking 16 wickets last season.

In winter, he was a long-serving member of Rokewood-Corindhap, playing six senior matches this season.

He won a reserve grade best-and-fairest and served as reserves co-coach for several years.

In a Facebook post, Ballarat-Redan said Hayes would be “so painfully missed”.

“Jayden is a hugely popular member of the Ballarat-Redan Cricket Club, spending more than half of his life playing cricket with us since joining in the U14s.

“His love of fun, ‘interesting’ mannerisms, unique catch phrases on the field, self-labelled ‘best fielder in the BCA’ and most of all his friendship to so many will be so painfully missed.

“’Tickets’, we’re so grateful to have been a part of your journey cut too short. All of our thoughts and support are with the Hayes family.”

His football club, Rokewood Corindhap, said Hayes’ presence “brightened our club”.

“Jayden was not only a cherished player of the Rokewood Corindhap Football Netball Club but a vibrant spirit whose energy and humour left a mark on everyone he met,” it said.

“We are heartbroken for Tickets, his family, and his friends, and our deepest condolences go out to them and the communities of Ballarat and Rokewood, where he was loved by so many. “The loss of Jayden is deeply felt across our Hopper family. We have lost not only a talented player but a beloved brother whose presence brightened our club.

“Jayden had a remarkable ability to bring people together, whether it was on the field, at the clubrooms, or out in the community. His cheekiness, humour, and unwavering zest for life could lift anyone’s spirits, and his laughter and warmth will be missed profoundly.”

Tributes also flowed in from rival clubs and local sporting clubs and organisations.