The University of Western Australian Cricket Club (UWACC) launched its inaugural Kevin O’Keefe Scholarship on Saturday 10 February, as part of WA Premier Cricket’s Reconciliation Round.
The scholarship is designed to help young Aboriginal students with their tertiary studies at UWA while being actively involved in the UWA Cricket Club. Congratulations to the UWA Cricket Club Assistant Coach Alex Stewart on becoming the inaugural recipient of the Kevin O’Keefe scholarship.
Stewart is a member of the Turbunna clan of the Palawa people of Ben Lomond in Tasmania and hopes to set an example for young players to follow. Stewart is currently studying a Master of Education at UWA after completing a Bachelor of Sports Science from Edith Cowan University. He has played cricket at Premier League clubs in Tasmania, NSW and WA and will play and coach for the UWA Cricket Club.
"It's my great hope that the scholarship becomes a pathway for young indigenous cricketers to become a part of the wonderful community that we present here at UCC and UWA."
UWA Alumni and UWA Cricket Club member Kevin O'Keefe
The scholarship acknowledges the legacy of UWA Alumni Kevin O’Keefe. O’Keefe played for the UWA Cricket Club in the 1960s, winning the Le Couteur Medal as club champion in 1968-1969 whilst studying at UWA. O’Keefe, a Yued Noongar man is acknowledged as UWA’s first Aboriginal graduate after finishing his education degree in 1969.
O’Keefe was the first member of his family to go to university and hopes the scholarship will assist in breaking barriers and providing young Aboriginal people the opportunity to study and engage in sport.
“The quality of this scholarship is that it will enable Aboriginal students not just to have a light at the end of the tunnel, but an opportunity to go through and help them with their studies.”
As part of the launch of the new scholarship, the UWA Cricket Club also unveiled its newly created training shirt that incorporates Indigenous artwork designed by UWA Alumni and Aboriginal artist Aaron “Jungari” Sutton. The launch highlights the Club’s commitment to Reconciliation and to showcase the importance of Indigenous culture and connection to country. The design is based on ideas from the Club workshops where playing members provided their perspective on what the club meant to them.
UWA Sport General Manager Jake Wilkins attended the poignant event and was proud to witness one of UWA’s oldest affiliated clubs bringing the scholarship to life along with the Indigenous training shirt.
"To hear Kevin O'Keefe's experience and the aspirations behind the scholarship were both powerful and inspirational."
UWA Sport General Manager Jake Wilkins holding the new polo design
