By Geoff Vivian | posted on September 15, 2017
GREAT Southern Grammar year 11 student Zainel Bin-Busu is raising funds to participate with his school at a cricket tournament in Dubai next April.
Zainel is a member of a well-known Aboriginal family in Kununurra and has been at the school for four years on a scholarship.
He is one of 13 boys selected for the Great Southern Grammar team, which will travel to the United Arab Emirates to compete with teams from Dubai’s local academies and schools.
“The cost is $4000, but I’m going to fundraise $2000 and my parents are going to pay the other $2000,” he said.
“I’ve never been overseas before, so it is something I’m really looking forward to, and also a new sport.
“I haven’t really taken much part in cricket other than doing it here at school. That’s really exciting for me.”
During his time at Grammar, Zainel said he had discovered an unexpected strength as a leg spin bowler.
“I am now a Year 11 student hoping for a career in sport,” he said.
“I am strongly involved and very committed to the sporting life in the community, and at school I enjoy playing a range of sports.
“I also study sport related subjects such as Physical Education Studies, Outdoor Education and Sport Coaching, which is a Cert II course I’m currently studying at TAFE one day a week.”
He has represented his house in swimming, cross country and athletics and his school in the local basketball competition and Country Week football.
He said he had already raised more than $1500 of the target $2000, with many donations coming from well-wishers in the Kimberley.
“It would be good if people can make any donation. I’ll be truly grateful for that,” he said.
Zainel is fundraising via the internet app Gofundme.
People wishing to donate may find his campaign at gofundme.com/zainels-school-cricket-tour
