Mitchell Jamieson has all the raw enthusiasm and just a hint of larrikin in his voice as he chats about his journey growing up in cricket.
One thing becomes clear very quickly, his feet are firmly planted on the ground.
“I am very grateful for all of the time my coaches have put into developing me as a batter and still put in as I embark on my first Premier Cricket season with Footscray.
“Right from my first training session the senior players got around me and made me feel very welcome.
“Their advice and support has assisted me to transition from my junior club, Keilor into senior cricket.”
Jamieson’s father grew up playing both cricket and football and Jamieson followed in his footsteps, while his mum and two sisters also play cricket.
The 16-year-old decided to play cricket because it’s a team game and he loved being around his mates.
One of Mitchell’s biggest buzzes was to play in the same team as his father and getting to bat with him in the game.
“I started playing in the under-10s at Keilor Cricket Club aged five. I moved to the under-12s aged seven and made my highest score of 38 that stood for a few years.”
Jamieson moved quickly through the club ranks at Keilor and is the youngest player to play in the club’s first XI.
He made his debut in junior representative sides in under-12s.
Jamieson would soon find himself in the region representative side, Western Spirit for under-14s and under-16s.
From there he was selected in the Cricket Victoria under-15 metro team for the national championships.
After a standout performance, which included a century, he was selected in the Cricket Australia under-16 team.
Jamieson was selected to represent Victoria metro once again as a bottom age player in the under-17s.
He is currently in the Cricket Victoria under-17 emerging players program and is looking forward to representing Vic Metro in January.
“From my earliest coaching in cricket I learned that what works best for me is to keep things simple,” he said.
“It is critical not to overly complicate things, which is fine when you are traveling OK.
“It’s when you start to drop catches, make ducks, or lose finals that you start to question your ability. I had a run of outs last year before Christmas playing for Keilor, then had a long talk to my coach Duncan Harrison, who told me to back myself.
Jamieson is a student at the Maribyrnong Sports Academy on a cricket scholarship.
Jamieson has had leadership potential written all over him through his junior career and capped it off by captaining Footscray in the Victorian Premier Cricket under-16 competition, The Dowling Shield.
“I have enjoyed my opportunities to lead teams. I look to involve others; I look after younger players and make sure they feel part of the team. I understand I need to be a role model.
I do have a steady head under pressure. However, above all it is necessary to have fun when we come together to play.”
Jamieson wants to continue to build on his strengths as a young emerging player.
His ultimate dream is the Baggy Green and a place in the Australian team.
Jamieson is the Sunshine Western Region Sports Club, November Don Deeble Sports Star Award winner. His award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank and the Deer Park Club.
If you would like to nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner at the Medway Golf Club, please contact the club by emailing swrsportsclub@gmail.com or sms 0408 556 631.
