Dear Cricket Mum,

Now that the season is wrapping up, I wanted to write you a letter...

A letter to let you know how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me this season.

Cricket mum, I know your efforts often go un recognised, but let me assure you they don’t go unnoticed.

First of all, thanks for making sure I’m always organised!

If it wasn’t for you helping me pack my whites and lunch I’d be playing in shorts, wearing no socks and going hungry every Saturday.

Thank you for the time you sacrifice…

Sitting in the car while I train or under a tree while I play.

I know, I know…”why does cricket have to be such a long game?”

And you “could be doing so many other things on your Saturdays”

I appreciate that you choose to sacrifice your time to come and support me and watch me play the game I love.

Thanks for the amount of travel you’re prepared to do to get me to training and games.

We sure do some kilometres! I do like car trips with you though.

Thanks for always making sure I’ve got my hat (even though I lose it every week) and for making sure I don’t miss any spots with sunscreen.

I know I’ll probably pay more attention to sun safety when I’m older, but for now you do a great job!

Thank you from me, and my team mates, for all the yummy treats you bring to games!

Lollies (snakes are my favourite), afternoon teas and oranges to keep us going.

You always seem to have a back up supply of water and gatorade when I run out as well!

Thanks for the money you spend on me.

I know cricket is an expensive sport.

Season fees, extra coaching plus new gear!

Thank you for not always letting me get the new gear I want as well. Otherwise we’d be getting a new bat every couple of months.

Even though I don’t show it at the time, I understand why that is silly.

Thanks for putting up with me when I’m in a bad mood after cricket.

I know it’s not your fault even though I sometimes take it out on you. You even help me with my gear sometimes when I’m in a bad mood…

I’m old enough to carry my own gear now, I’ll try not to let that happen.

Thanks mum for always making sure my whites are sparkling and don’t have any holes in them.

I know it’s a real pain to get those grass stains out.

I should be thinking of you when I dive for the ball when I don’t need to….but I don’t so I’m sorry about that.

Most of all mum…

Thanks for loving me and treating me the same no matter what happens on the field.

I try so hard to make you proud, when I fail I feel like I’m letting you down.

I know you don’t think that but those are the things that go through my head.

So thanks for helping me to understand that cricket is just a game and that I don’t need to get upset about it.

I love that you can take my mind off cricket.

I love that no matter what happens I’m still great in your eyes.

Thanks for a great season mum! Let’s do it all again soon.

Love you.

From every cricket son and daughter around the country.

P.S. Mum, I'd love to train with the Australian Cricket Institute this year - you can find out more about how I can do that here.

Author - Nick Fitzpatrick 

ACI Co Founder and Coach.