DB Robin medalist, Zak Keogh. Photo: Supplied.
Last season, Zak Keogh won both the DB Robin medal for the best cricketer in the ACT Cricket competition and the Peter Solway medal for the top player in the ACT Comets.
Originally from the South Coast, Zak has been plying his trade with Weston Creek Molonglo, where he hit 1183 in the ACT Premier competition last season.
He also compiled an innings of 214 for the Comets in the national second XI league against South Australia.
After making his first-grade debut with Weston Creek at just 14 years of age, Zak, at 21, is ready to progress his game to another level, but that’s not possible in Canberra with no BBL or Shield team to aspire to.
In what has become an all too familiar tale, Zak has signed with the East Torrens District Cricket Club in Adelaide for the upcoming season.
“It was a tough decision, but I’m excited by the challenges ahead,” said Zak.
“Canberra has been great. I came to play cricket when I was just 14 years of age. Once guys had shown they could succeed at the second XI level, it was obvious we had to go elsewhere to pursue first-class cricket,” says Zak.
“I have ambitions to play for Australia, Big Bash and Shield cricket. I’ve been included in the South Australian Cricket Association’s state academy for uncontracted players.”
Zak is one of four players from this year’s Comets team who have headed to other states to pursue opportunities in first-class programs.
Another young star in ACT cricket, Tuggeranong’s Akshay Joseph, has signed to play with Manly next season.
Looking across the player lists in the Sheffield Shield, domestic and Big Bash teams, it becomes patently apparent that Canberra has become a development program for other states.
I’m thinking of Henry Hunt, Benji Floros, Blake McDonald, Matthew Gilkes, Mac Wright … the list goes on.
The player drain is essentially due to the ACT not having teams in any of the national competitions in men’s cricket.
Canberra’s female cricketers have the opportunity to play in the Women’s National Cricket League with the ACT Meteors, but they also have to ply their trade elsewhere if they want to play in WBBL, and plenty are doing just that.
Cricket isn’t the only sport hampered by the lack of representation in national leagues.
While the UC Capitals offer an opportunity for our top women’s basketballers to play at the highest level domestically, the pathway for Canberra’s male basketballers isn’t as easy, resulting in many looking to move to progress their careers.
The Canberra Gunners’ success in winning the NBL 1 title has shone a light on the emerging talent in the ACT.
The Gunners’ 19-point victory over the Geraldton Buccaneers in the NBL 1 final should create interest from NBL teams.
Coach Peter Herat believes the talent is definitely there.
“There are at least two or three potential NBL players, while there are others that could be development players.”
Peter is speaking with plenty of experience, having seen players such as Akech Aliir go from the Gunners program straight into the NBL.
Gunners head coach Pete Herek. Photo: Jack Statton/@editedarchives.
The Gunners’ victory has provided momentum for Canberra’s renewed bid to return to the NBL.
As Peter explained, “We understand how important it is for us to be successful and to keep the momentum going for a potential NBL team.”
The same scenario of providing a pathway for players into national leagues also exists in sports such as football, where Canberra United plays in the A-League Women, while there is no male equivalent in the ACT.
It is essentially the basis on which campaigns such as the push for Big Bash teams, an NBL side and a Men’s A-League start.
