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Play the mini season in australia

Cricket: Play the mini season in Australia

Duration: 4 - 17 weeks

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Overview

Playing cricket in Australia

Working overseas

Social life

Reviews

Your pad

FAQs

A week in the life

Prices & dates

Sport Lived in Brisbane

Overview

A fantastic opportunity to experience playing cricket in Australia. You’ll experience a taste of Aussie lifestyle living, working and playing cricket for 3 months. As with all Sport Lived you’ll enjoy our shared accommodation in the heart of the action and make friends for life along the way...

Recommended for:

4 - 17 weeks playing cricket overseas
A taste of Aussie lifestyle for half a season
Working on your game in an Aussie club
Boosting your CV with work experience

At a glance:

Hand picked Aussie cricket club
Regular matches, training & social events
Shared accommodation
24/7 mentor support throughout your stay

Sporting adventures

The Mini Season gives you the freedom to combine playing cricket overseas with a shorter, more flexible duration. Our links with a range of cricket clubs ensure you’ll be matched with a team that suits your ability and your personality.

We know how much you’re looking forward to life in Australia and we provide everything you need to settle in and enjoy your freedom.

FAQs

1. What type of visa do I need?

Australian Working Holiday Visa

If you would like to obtain paid work during your programme you will need to obtain an Australian Working Holiday Visa. UK citizens aged 18-30 are eligible for an Australian Working Holiday Visa which enables holders to live and work in Australia for up to 12 months. It costs around £150 and can take up to 4 weeks to process so we recommend getting the paperwork sorted well in advance of your departure.

Australian Tourist Visa

If you don’t want to work in Australia you can get an Australian Tourist Visa.

For more information see the Travel & Visa section in the Need to Know area of our site.

2. Do I need to be an elite player?

Absolutely not! We cater for players of all abilities. We will obtain further information on your sporting ability once you have submitted your booking form. This will allow us to match you with a suitable club.

3. How can I find out more general information?

Hopefully, most key pieces of information are available on the website where you can download programme notes, prices and dates. Our Need to Know section also contains lots of useful information. If you have other questions or just want to have a chat, we’re always available either on the phone or via email.

We know that planning a trip overseas can be scary at times and there’s loads to think about. So don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need to discuss anything at all.

Playing cricket in Australia

We have links with a fantastic range of fantastic Australian cricket clubs who will welcome you as a new member. Get ready for plenty of banter; the Aussies love to have a laugh with their new Pommey team mates!

Club structure

Australian cricket clubs have lots of teams (on average 12-16 teams for men and women) plus active junior sections. Top teams play in the highest state leagues, giving you the chance to play alongside and against state and international cricketers.

Matches & training

You’ll train 2-3 times per week with matches played at the weekends.

Competitions include a number of formats meaning you’ll play a combination of two day and one day matches plus twenty20 cricket.

The season takes a 2-3 week break over the Christmas period giving you a great chance to enjoy the festivities and perhaps do some travelling.

Off the pitch

With so many members, your club will be a hive of social activity. There will be drinks after training and matches plus social events throughout the season - new players’ night (a major event!), pub crawls and an end of season dinner. Many clubs also arrange pre-season tours, a great chance to get to know your team mates whilst exploring a new part of Oz.

Cricket development

Our clubs are selected for quality coaching and facilities, helping you to return a much improved player. If your performances are noted, you could also find yourself selected for a State representative squad – highly prestigious!

…and finally

What are you waiting for? Get out there and show the Aussies how it’s done!

Working overseas

You’ll have plenty of spare time between training and competing if you’d like to get a job. As well as enhancing your CV and boosting your bank balance, working overseas will help you meet new people and provide more structure to your time away.

Top tips for getting work:

Plan the type of work you'd like to obtain
Try to gain relevant work experience
Prepare a CV and have two references
Be proactive & persistent in job hunting

Employment options:

Café/bar work: sociable environment
Office work: good rates of pay
Coaching: fulfilling and well paid
Work experience: boost your CV

Working in Australia

You’ll be living close to lots of employment options like offices, shops, bars and restaurants. Contacts at your sport club might also help you to find coaching work.

In addition, your mentor will provide guidance on working in Australia but you should ensure you’re well prepared as the job market can be as competitive as the sports arena!

Reviews

Will Aitkenhead – Mini Season Cricket Programme in Brisbane

What was the highlight of your Sport Lived experience?

Getting the chance to live in Australia and experience the style of life out there was awesome. Having a training session taken by John Buchanan was fantastic, as was watching Ricky Ponting score a hundred at the Gabba against the West Indies. The end of season club dinner was good fun and everybody made us feel very welcome throughout the season.

Do you think your Sport Lived experience has changed you as a person? If so, how?

It has made be become more independent and definitely helped to prepare me for future life away from home.

What tips would you give to future Sport Lived participants?

Get involved with as much as you can and talk to people, you never know what they might be able to offer you. We managed to get ourselves into the cricket club box at the Gabba for an ODI! Also get out of the city if you can for a few days to see some of the East Coast. Fraser Island is great fun and a good break from cricket, so is Byron Bay.

Why should someone choose Sport Lived?

Many reasons, the clubs that they choose are all friendly and welcoming clubs who take their cricket seriously. The accommodation provided is first class and the guys you live with will become mates for life.

How have you improved as a player / coach?

Yes, but probably mentally more than technically, the value the Aussie's put on their wicket is so much more than in England, 2 day games mean you have longer to bat and so you've got to be much stronger mentally to bat for long periods. Also the amount of fielding done in training is so much more than back home, so that part of my game really developed.

…and finally, in a single sentence, I’m glad I went on a Sport Lived programme because

It enabled me to experience an incredible sporting culture which helped my cricket a lot and I met some top guys who will be mates for life.

Your pad

STANDARD ACCOMMODATION
PREMIUM ACCOMMODATION

STANDARD ACCOMMODATION

Choose our Standard Accommodation in Australia and you’ll live in a dorm room in a hostel or lodge. All our Standard pads are centrally located and provide easy access to public transport. This makes it easier to get to your sports club, as well as giving you the chance to try out all the bars, clubs and restaurants in the city centre.

At a glance:

Top quality hostel accommodation
Located close to transport and nightlife
Shared with Sport Lived participants
Meet travellers from around the world

Your place in Australia...

You’ll share a dorm room with other Sport Lived participants. You’ll get fully equipped kitchen facilities, a base for your belongings and large comfortable communal areas, so you can catch up with other Sport Lived participants and travellers from around the world.

NB: Illustrative accommodation pictures.

Bedroom

Kitchen

Bathroom

Dining area

Kitchen

Bedroom

Dining area

Bathroom

Dining area

Bedroom

Kitchen

Bathroom

Bedroom

Kitchen

Dining area

PREMIUM ACCOMMODATION

Choose our Premium Accommodation in Australia and you’ll live in a 4 star apartment in the centre of town. Your club will be easily accessible by public transport and with lots of bars, clubs, restaurants and shops close by there are plenty of places explore.

Four star city centre apartments

At a glance:

4-star fully furnished apartments
Located close to transport and nightlife
Shared with Sport Lived participants
Relax! Most bills are included

Home from home...

Apartments are shared with other Sport Lived participants and include a 24 hour reception plus many mod-cons. Apartments are fully furnished including a TV, linen, kitchen appliances, washing machines, etc. They are also serviced weekly so you can spend your time having fun.

NB: Illustrative accommodation pictures.

Apartment kitchen

Apartment living room

Apartment lounge diner

Premium accommodation

Apartment kitchen

Apartment lounge

Apartment lounge and diner

Apartment lounge diner

Apartment kitchen

Apartment living room

Premium accommodation

A week in the life...

...of Matthew Jackson who played cricket in Melbourne. Matt made the most of living in Melbourne attending some of the great sporting events held there during the Summer including the Boxing Day Test Match and the Melbourne Cup.

Monday

Working at Medibank today where I have an office job. Go for a run at Fawkner Park in the evening once it’s cooled down a bit.

Tuesday

Work again today. Club training tonight and there’s lots of fitness. Had a chat about our performance at the weekend before going for a few drinks in Carlton.

Wednesday

Work then went to the club to get some throwdowns from the coach. Quick shower and change before heading to Bridies for a few drinks with Sport Lived crew.

Thursday

Day off so I went to Chapel Street to do some shopping and meet a mate. Great training session tonight followed by a fun night at White Charlies in South Yarra.

Friday

Went for a run at Fawkner Park in the morning. Did some food shopping before going to the MCG to watch Victoria play South Australia in a Twenty20 game.

Saturday

Early start today as we’re playing away against Geelong in a one day game. We win by 5 wickets and I finish 20 not out. Go back to the club for a BBQ.

Sunday

Group of us head to the beach at St Kilda. Meet a few team mates at the Elgin in Hawthorn for a few drinks in the evening.

Prices and dates...

Location
Duration
From
To
Price

Melbourne
4 weeks
01/10/2012
28/10/2012
Standard
£ 1895

Melbourne
5 weeks
01/10/2012
04/11/2012
Standard
£ 2145

Melbourne
6 weeks
01/10/2012
11/11/2012
Standard
£ 2395

Melbourne
7 weeks
01/10/2012
18/11/2012
Standard
£ 2645

Melbourne
8 weeks
01/10/2012
25/11/2012
Standard
£ 2895

Melbourne
9 weeks
01/10/2012
02/12/2012
Standard
£ 3145

Melbourne
10 weeks
01/10/2012
09/12/2012
Standard
£ 3395

Melbourne
11 weeks
01/10/2012
16/12/2012
Standard
£ 3645

Melbourne
11 weeks
01/10/2012
16/12/2012
Premium
£ 4995

Melbourne
12 weeks
01/10/2012
23/12/2012
Standard
£ 3895

Melbourne
13 weeks
01/10/2012
30/12/2012
Standard
£ 4145

Melbourne
14 weeks
01/10/2012
06/01/2013
Standard
£ 4395

Melbourne
15 weeks
01/10/2012
13/01/2013
Standard
£ 4645

Melbourne
16 weeks
01/10/2012
20/01/2013
Standard
£ 4895

Melbourne
17 weeks
01/10/2012
27/01/2013
Standard
£ 5145

Melbourne
4 weeks
31/12/2012
27/01/2013
Standard
£ 1895

Melbourne
5 weeks
31/12/2012
03/02/2013
Standard
£ 2145

Melbourne
6 weeks
31/12/2012
10/02/2013
Standard
£ 2395

Melbourne
7 weeks
31/12/2012
17/02/2013
Standard
£ 2645

Melbourne
8 weeks
31/12/2012
24/02/2013
Standard
£ 2895

Melbourne
9 weeks
31/12/2012
03/03/2013
Standard
£ 3145

Melbourne
10 weeks
31/12/2012
10/03/2013
Standard
£ 3395

Melbourne
11 weeks
31/12/2012
17/03/2013
Standard
£ 3645

Melbourne
12 weeks
31/12/2012
24/03/2013
Standard
£ 3895

Melbourne
12 weeks
31/12/2012
24/03/2013
Premium
£ 5295

Brisbane
4 weeks
07/01/2013
03/02/2013
Standard
£ 1895

Brisbane
5 weeks
07/01/2013
10/02/2013
Standard
£ 2145

Brisbane
6 weeks
07/01/2013
17/02/2013
Standard
£ 2395

Brisbane
7 weeks
07/01/2013
24/02/2013
Standard
£ 2645

Brisbane
8 weeks
07/01/2013
03/03/2013
Standard
£ 2895

Brisbane
9 weeks
07/01/2013
10/03/2013
Standard
£ 3145

Brisbane
10 weeks
07/01/2013
17/03/2013
Standard
£ 3395

Brisbane
10 weeks
07/01/2013
17/03/2013
Premium
£ 4795

Australia

Sun, sea, sand and SPORT! Australia’s sporting prowess is as legendary as the Great Barrier Reef and a Sport Lived programme is your chance to experience both.

Australia highlights:

Watch a magical sunrise over Ayers Rock
Catch a cricket match at the MCG
Dive the Great Barrier Reef
Learn to surf at Bondi Beach

Choose your destination city...

Our programmes run to cities across Australia. Click on each city to learn more but be warned, choosing your destination is NOT an easy decision.

Sport Lived in Brisbane

Simon heads up the Sport Lived team in Brisbane and is a thoroughbred Queenslander. He’s travelled the world but made Brissy his home, so hear all about his favourite city.

The weather in Brisbane today is...

Your mentor recommends:

Head to the Gold Coast for a surfing lesson
Enjoy the city centre beach at South Bank
Visit the city's riverfront bars & restaurants
Check out Queensland's beautiful islands

Ed, Ali, and Barney at the Gold Coast

Sport Lived social for the Rugby Academy players in Brisbane

Beautiful one day, perfect the next is the ideal way to describe sunny Queensland. Brisbane is located right at the heart of Queensland and is renowned for its laid-back lifestyle and welcoming atmosphere. It’s hard to go wrong with the tropical climate which leads to long balmy nights spent either on the beach or enjoying a cold drink with friends.

Situated on the magnificent Brisbane River the city is the place to be. It is well known for its bustling night life. Whether you want a couple of drinks in a traditional Australian pub, a night on the dance floor or anything in between, Brisbane has a night spot to suit. Brisbane is very popular among travellers and backpackers as the city is constantly thriving with life.

Brisbane also boasts two of Australia’s best sporting stadiums. The Gabba and Suncorp Stadium host matches of Rugby League, Cricket, Aussie Rules, A League Football, Rugby Union - basically every sport you could wish for!

The city is also just an hour's drive from the stunning Gold Coast, which is known internationally as a popular tourist destination, thanks to its white sandy beaches and crystal clear ocean. Maybe now is the time to take up the opportunity to learn how to surf; or travel up further north to the beautiful rainforests and spectacular waterfalls.

In summary, Brisbane is a fantastic city offering amazing experiences. Your time spent here will be remembered and treasured for life.

Sport Lived in Melbourne

Matt has been part of the Sport Lived team in Melbourne for the last few years. Although he was born in the US, he was raised in Melbourne and considers the city home, making him perfectly placed to tell you all about its attractions.

The weather in Melbourne today is...

Your mentor recommends:

Catch the Boxing Day Test Match
Take a trip along the Great Ocean Road
Have a picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens
Check out South Yarra's shops and cafés

Sport Lived participants playing golf in Melbourne

Girls night out in Melbourne

Team mates enjoying dinner in Melbourne

St. Patricks night in Melbourne

Clubbing in Melbourne

First things first. Whether it be playing professionally, socially with mates, coaching or simply watching on the telly, Melburnians LOVE sport. It doesn't matter where you are - the heart of the city, a country town, or in the suburbs, you will not only find a pub with a TV screen, but also an enthusiastic Aussie crowd to watch the action. In terms of live sport, we have the famous Boxing Day test match, Aussie Open Tennis, Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup – Australia’s most famous horse race.

But there’s more than sport. Most importantly, the Melbourne people are an incredible bunch. There's a warm, community sense that vibrates through the city. The locals are typically laid back and welcoming. They love to show off their city and will probably insist on taking you out on the town, exchanging slang words and introducing you to their mates.

This city is famous as the home of culture in Australia and has amazing art exhibitions, markets, music and comedy festivals; shopping, nightclubs and trendy bars. Whatever your taste, you'll find places in Melbourne dedicated to people like yourself.

Book now

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Download a summary