Ambassadors and Patrons

The Group’s Ambassador is Australian Cricketer, Brad Haddin

Haddin is a local Queanbeyan boy and an ambassador for Rise Above

Haddin was selected in the first ever Mercantile Mutual Cup season of 1997–98 for the Canberra Comets, with whom he began his professional cricketing career. In the 1999–2000 season, he began playing for the New South Wales Blues.  Since then, he has produced several memorable batting innings, including a top score of 133 against Victoria.

International Career

In September 2003, Haddin replaced Simon Katich as captain of New South Wales and he since been acting-captain on numerous occasions. He has also captained Australia A. For most of his career Haddin was Australia A wicket keeper.

He made his international debut in a One Day International on 30 January 2001 against Zimbabwe in Hobart. He made one stumping and 13 runs. On 18 September 2006, playing against West Indies at Kuala Lumpur in the DLF Cup, Haddin and Australian captain Mike Hussey put on 165, which at that time was a world-record stand for the sixth wicket in ODIs.

In early 2009, Haddin made his Test debut on 22 May against the West Indies at Kingston, Jamaica, becoming Australia’s 400th Test cricketer.

The Group’s Patrons are:

  • David Furner, Former Canberra Raiders Coach
  • Marty Haynes, Radio Station i98FM Wollongong
  • Brendan Smyth, MLA
  • Scotty Masters, Scott Masters Media