Basil Sellers Scholarship boosts Sydney-bound cricketer Ebony Hoskin

The 18-year-old has been awarded a Basil Sellers Scholarship as one of the best young cricketers in NSW and the $5000 cash injection which comes with that will help fund Hoskin's relocation to the state capital.

She's also landed a two-year equipment sponsorship with Kookaburra and is ready to chase her dream of making it all the way to the top of the sport.

The fast/medium bowler is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Stella Campbell and Hannah Darlington, who all went on to represent Australia after being awarded the same scholarship.

News of her inclusion came as a welcome surprise to Hoskin, who was already planning to move to Sydney early next year.

She's hoping to play for Campbelltown-Camden in NSW Women's Premier Cricket, with the aim of spring-boarding from there into the Big Bash.

"It feels very exciting," Hoskin said.

"I didn't think I'd be in this position at all but the past year has made me realise what opportunities are in front of me.

"Training a lot with Dad (Aaron Hoskin) last year and being selected in the NSW under-19 squad, I was like 'wow, that's a big opportunity and really good experience for my cricket' so I worked hard for that.

"Getting selected in that team opened my eyes to the opportunities and they give out some contracts to players when they do the nationals so it made me realise I'm nearly there.

"Sometimes I have those days where I doubt myself but I gained confidence last year and believed more in myself that I could actually do it.

"I've had a lot of help from Dad and also the NSW academy staff.

"They do a lot on mindset and being process-driven, not outcome-driven, which has really resonated with me. I was probably more thinking about the outcome, where I am, rather than taking those little stepping stones to get to where I am now.

"That's made me more positive about my cricket and given me more belief in myself."

Hoskin was named player of the final when representing ACT/NSW Country during last year's round-robin tournament against Victoria and NSW Metro.

She played 22 second-grade provincial matches for Howlong last season, claiming 22 wickets at 16.86, before moving across to Albury for 2021/22.

Hoskin showed her batting skills during Saturday's second-grade T20 clash with Wodonga Raiders, facing more deliveries than any of her team-mates as she hung around for a stubborn 13 which included two boundaries.

"Howlong and Albury have both been really welcoming clubs," she said.

"They've been very supportive, given me every opportunity and treated me equally.

"Female cricket, when I first started, wasn't that big. There weren't many girls playing around here but now, since being in the academy pathway program, it's really lifted, even the standard girls are playing at a young age.

"It's good to see that female cricket is actually lifting off and everyone's behind us."

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Hoskin hopes to play for Campbelltown-Camden this side of Christmas before relocating in March.

"It does feel like a big thing," she admitted. "I didn't think about it much until the start of this year. I thought I may as well take that opportunity as it comes, I'm already halfway there so if I do move, it'll give me more opportunities to train and play with other females at a high level.

"It's a pretty surreal moment. Sometimes I wake up and I'm like 'am I actually going to be living there?'

"Mum and Dad have played a big role in supporting my development, driving me around the countryside.

"I've got a short-term goal of performing well at nationals in April and getting a state contract.

"I'm hoping it's NSW, and from there, hopefully a Big Bash contract and I get an opportunity to play for Australia.

"But I'm not really focused on the big picture at the moment, just the little stepping stones which will help me to get me there.

"Getting this scholarship is a big boost."

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