The inaugural Australia Day Charity T20 between Manly Warringah Cricket and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles delivered exactly what it promised — a fantastic day of cricket, community and charity, with plenty of highlights both on and off the field.
Following strong anticipation in the lead-up, the day brought together players, supporters and families from across the Northern Beaches, with a great crowd turning out to enjoy the occasion and support an important cause.
There was a strong Sea Eagles presence throughout the day, with club legends and favourite sons Cliff Lyons and Steve ‘Beaver’ Menzies on hand, alongside recently retired players Brad Parker and Lachlan Croker, adding to the relaxed, inclusive atmosphere and strengthening the connection between the two proud Manly Warringah clubs.
Most importantly, the event raised almost $5,000 for the Burdekin Association, a valued charity partner of both the Manly Warringah Waratahs and the Sea Eagles. Burdekin provides vital support to homeless and at-risk youth on the Northern Beaches, delivering programs that help young people build healthy relationships, set goals, access education and career pathways, and secure stable accommodation. The generosity shown on the day will make a real and lasting impact within our local community.
On the field, the match lived up to its entertainment billing. With teams mixed between Waratahs cricketers and Sea Eagles players, the friendly rivalry was on full display as the Ryan Hadley XI claimed victory over the Cliff Lyons XI in an entertaining T20 contest.
The standout performance of the day came from Sea Eagles legend Kieran Foran, who starred with the bat, finishing on an impressive 66 not out, providing one of the major highlights for players and spectators alike.
Beyond the runs and wickets, the true success of the day was the collaboration between two proud clubs and their communities. The involvement from both cricket and rugby league, combined with the strong crowd support, created a genuinely special Australia Day atmosphere.
Given the success of the inaugural event, there is strong hope that the Australia Day Charity T20 will become an annual fixture, continuing to bring the two clubs together while supporting important community causes.
As always, a big thanks to Ian Bird Photography for capturing some great moments from the day.
Manly Warringah Cricket would like to thank the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, all players, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who helped make the day such a success. We look forward to building on this event in the future and continuing to use sport as a platform to give back to our community.
