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Play the season in australia

Cricket: Play the season in Australia

Duration: 25 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

Overview

Get the full, undiluted Aussie cricket experience! Play, train and party all season long with a local cricket club. Enjoy shared accommodation at the heart of the action and make friends for life along the way.

Recommended for:

Living like an Aussie, all season long
Improving your game in a club environment
Exploring Oz with your new mates
Boosting your CV with a part time job

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 Season allows you to spend 6 months living, working and playing cricket in Australia. You’ll have loads of time to make strong friendships and become fully integrated into Aussie life.

You have the choice to play the season in either Melbourne or Brisbane, two amazing cities in Australia and will be placed with a cricket club that suits your sporting ability and personality! Our centrally located accommodation puts you at the heart of the city, so get ready to enjoy the freedom and excitement of life in Australia with a group of new mates.

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.

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!

Playing cricket in Australia

We have links with a very wide range of good cricket clubs in Australia. They all offer a warm welcome and great facilities, so whether you’re a top class cricketer or just want to have some fun, you’ll fit in perfectly!

Club structure

Cricket clubs in Australia tend to have lots of teams for men and women plus active junior sections. The top teams at each club play in the highest provincial leagues, whereas lower level teams are focused more on social cricket.

Matches and training

Many of our clubs are home to international and provincial players giving you the chance to play (or at least have a beer) with some famous names. 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 or perhaps go off and do some travelling.

Off the pitch

With so many members, your club will be a hive of social activity. There’ll be drinks after training and matches, plus social events throughout the season. Many clubs also arrange tours, a great chance to get to know your team mates whilst exploring a new part of Australia.

Cricket development

Our clubs are selected for their high quality coaching and facilities, helping you to return home as a much improved player.

…and finally

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

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 to 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

Reviews

CHRIS GUY – CRICKET PLAY THE SEASON MELBOURNE

What was the highlight of your Sport Lived experience?

Playing at St. Kilda Oval which is Shane Warne's home ground in a 20/20 match which we won! That was a great experience and also meeting so many great people that I can still keep in touch with.

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

I think that going on the Sport Lived programme has made me more confident in myself. You go out there not knowing anyone and then you make good friends and have the best time!

What tips would you give to future Sport Lived participants?

I would definitely have to say that you must do as much as possible. The MCG tour and sport museum was amazing and for outside of Melbourne I travelled down the East coast and went to Fraser Island and the Whitsundays. If you get a chance to travel and do these things, it is the best experience!

Why should someone choose Sport Lived?

As well as great accommodation and meeting a group of great people, you do play sport at some great clubs and it improved me as a cricketer. The training out there was amazing.

How have you improved as a player / coach?

I felt that as a player my all round game improved, you work hard on each and every aspect at training.

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

I had the best time out in Australia both playing cricket and travelling, I loved every minute of it and have the most amazing memories from it!

A week in the life...

...of Richard Moore who played cricket in Melbourne for a season. Richard’s team won the 2 day competition although he was run out for 0 without facing a ball in the Grand Final!

Monday

Spend the day with my friends on the Sport Lived programme. Head out into Melbourne city to wander round the shops and later we organise a BBQ in the local park.

Tuesday

Shift at a bar in the city centre where I’ve been working part-time during my stay. Club training in the evening. We work primarily on fitness, and then have a session assessing what happened in the previous weekend’s game.

Wednesday

A very relaxed day spent tidying up the apartment in the morning. Later the Sport Lived crew head out to the beach, mess around with the frisbee and catch some rays.

Thursday

Working during the day again at the bar. Club training session in the evening where we focus on technique. I have a one-on-one session with the coaches to work on my footwork. Later we are told team selection and game plans for the weekend. Training was followed by a big night out in Melbourne with the lads from Sport Lived.

Friday

A day of hard work with a sore head from the night before. Starting at 11am, I work until 3pm then back in at 6pm until 11pm. The bank balance will thank me though! Head home after work for a good sleep before the weekend’s game.

Saturday

Match Day! Arrive at the ground an hour and a half before the game and assess the pitch and conditions. It’s a two-day match this weekend, so spend the full day in the field followed by a chilled out evening ahead of another big day of cricket tomorrow.

Sunday

Match Day – part 2. Up early again preparing for an important day. We’re batting and I make a decent score – must be all the hard work in training. Following the game we all head back to the clubhouse to celebrate a win with the guys.

Prices and dates...

Location
Duration
From
To
Price

Melbourne
25 weeks
01/10/2012
24/03/2013
Standard
£ 6495

Melbourne
25 weeks
01/10/2012
24/03/2013
Premium
£ 9495

Brisbane
23 weeks
08/10/2012
17/03/2013
Premium
£ 10295

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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