WHEN Zac Nichols was just the tender age of eight, he made his first cricket bat at his grandma’s house.
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He knew it was what he wanted to do with his life.
Now aged 20, Nichols is on the way to fulfilling his childhood dream.
In 2011, he travelled to Millichamp and Hall and two years later went to Warsop Cricket in the United Kingdom to do work experience at Gray-Nicolls.
Nichols said hand-crafting cricket bats was a childhood dream.
“When I was a little kid I always dreamed of doing it … at the start of this year I went on Ian Callen’s website and he said he was going to train 50 bat makers, and I got into it,” he said.
Former Australian test and one-day cricket player Callen founded WillowBlue 30 years ago and planted salix alba caerulea trees on 25 acres at Healesville, about 50 kilometres north-east of Melbourne.
Nichols said the one-week course, run by Callen, showed him how to make bats with simple skills.
“What Ian taught me and showed me was you just need the basic tools to make a bat,” he said.
“He taught us how to handle and pigskin a bit and do basic repairs.”
Nichols said his previous experience allowed him to go into the course with the knowledge of how a cricket bat was shaped and created.
“I made about six bats before I actually went there, so I knew what I was capable of,” he said.
What Ian showed and taught me was you just need the basic tools to make a bat
- Zac Nichols
Nichols said the time it took to make a bat had never been a factor for him.
“I love being out there, I don’t care how long it takes me to make one,” he said.
“I love using the tools and getting one done.”
“The main advice was take your time.
“Stop and put your tools down if you get angry and come back later.”
Nichols said he hoped the fact his Titanium cricket bats were 100 per cent Australian would appeal to players.
“They’re Australian grown and made – you can put money into your community,” he said.
Nichols said he looked forward to batting with Lavington Cricket Club this season.
“Hopefully using the one I made will turn my last season around,” he said.