As a Club, we are filled with pride as one of our senior team players, Eddie Withington, launches his groundbreaking initiative, HitForSix—a program designed to engage and inspire young Indigenous kids through the sport of cricket.
Eddie, one of our talented players from the senior’s group, has always been passionate about using cricket as a tool for positive change. During a trip taken during his diploma course, Eddie had an eye-opening experience that set him on a path to start something special. It was during this trip that Eddie realised the impact he could have by blending cricket with broader life skills to help young Indigenous Australians, and HitForSix was born.
Launched with its inaugural trip in October of this year, HitForSix focused on engaging Indigenous youth in remote communities through cricket, using the sport as a means to connect with young people. During this first visit, Eddie spent two weeks in an Indigenous community near Broome, teaching the fundamentals of cricket while building relationships with the local kids. Based on the insights and learnings from this initial trip, the HitForSix program will evolve in 2025 to incorporate broader education on mental health awareness and nutrition, ensuring a more holistic approach to supporting the well-being and development of young participants.
The idea behind HitForSix is more than just teaching cricket,” Eddie explained. “For many Indigenous kids, there are unique challenges they face, from mental health struggles to limited access to resources and opportunities. I want to use cricket as a way to engage them and create a broader impact—helping them with their mental health, teaching them about nutrition, and building their confidence. It’s giving them tools to grow both on and off the field. This approach lets the kids see the bigger picture and helps them develop a sense of self-belief and wellbeing that goes beyond just the sport.”
The program targets children between the ages of 5-16 and works closely with independent schools to gain permission to run these programs in communities across Australia. Eddie’s long-term vision includes expanding HitForSix to Queensland, the Northern Territory (including Alice Springs), and down south of Western Australia, with three trips planned for next year in 2025.
Eddie is hopeful that the state and federal governments will take an interest in supporting the program, enabling HitForSix to grow and deepen its impact in remote Indigenous communities. So if anyone in our Club community has any contacts for Eddie, please get in touch.
“We’re just getting started, and the response from the kids and the communities has been incredible,” Eddie said. “Cricket is a fun, engaging way to get kids excited, but the real value comes from offering them a broader skill set—teaching them about mental health, nutrition, and how to stay strong physically and mentally. If we can help even just a few kids on their journey, I know we’re doing something right.”
Henry Tyler, Ivanhoe Saints Cricket Club’s Head Coach, expressed immense pride in Eddie's achievements and initiative.
“We are so proud to have someone like Eddie at the club,” said Henry. “Not only is he a talented player on the field, but his heart and passion for giving back to the community is truly inspiring. What Eddie is doing with HitForSix is an incredible testament to his character, and we’re honoured to support him in any way we can. He’s not just a star cricketer, he’s a real leader—and we are lucky to have him as part of the Ivanhoe Saints family.”
As HitForSix continues to grow, Eddie hopes it will not only bring more opportunities to remote communities but also raise awareness around the importance of mental health and nutrition in Indigenous communities. With his vision and dedication, Eddie is laying the foundation for a program that could have lasting, positive effects on the lives of young Indigenous Australians across the country.
As a Club, we are incredibly proud that Eddie pulls on the mighty Saints uniform every weekend, representing the Ivanhoe Saints with such passion and commitment. His dedication to both the game and his business is an inspiration to us all. We wish him every success with HitForSix, as he continues to make a positive impact and inspire the next generation.