I just spent four days with former Qld Bulls and Australian T20 cricketer Nathan Reardon this week where he was working as Assistant Coach of the Qld 2nd XI so thought it was a good opportunity to hit him with some questions of all sorts on his cricket career , his relatively new business in the adventure holiday industry and life after cricket.
Firstly Reardo give us some background on how you started out?
Well I grew up in Chinchilla before moving with family to Gladstone where I played all sorts of junior sports. Secondary schooling at Ipswich Grammar School then really started the ball rolling with cricket where I progressed into the First XI and then through the Qld Youth setup.
And then you were pretty fortunate to join the powerful University club where you played the whole of your First Grade career?
Yes indeed, pretty hard to go past Uni and given the amount of First Class players around the club such as Martin Love and Wade Seccombe it was a huge developmental experience. But along with the rep guys we also had endless numbers of fantastic club players who in other eras may also have played First Class cricket. All of these players looked after me when I was first on the scene and I will always be thankful for them assisting with my career. It’s a great club is Uni with a fun atmosphere and top people involved which is a major reason why the club enjoys a fair amount of success.
How did you end up playing at Uni in the first place?
My schoolmate Berrick Barnes, who ended up playing rugby for the Wallabies and league for the Broncos, was as a young bloke also a good wicketkeeper who was playing Tavs (U16) grade for Uni so I thought it was a good idea to go along and play with him at a grade club.
Any idea at that stage on what career you may pursue if cricket did not take you all the way?
Yeah I actually ended up doing two years of a carpentry apprenticeship but did not finish that and really wanted to do well in cricket so gave it a good crack.
In the end you can be quite proud of your career in that you have represented Australia in T20 cricket, Qld Bulls in the Sheffield Shield and played plenty of the short form at the top level. Fantastic achievement really mate?
I guess so. I have done okay yes and to play for Australia was a great highlight.
I believe you currently hold the record for most number (4) of Big Bash franchises played at?
I think so, along with former Bulls teammate Luke Feldman. I played at Melbourne Renegades, Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes so tallied up plenty of new teammates along the way!
Recently you have gotten into some coaching at different levels, can you tell us about that please?
Yes that’s correct. I wasn’t too sure if I would like coaching but now that I have started I really enjoy it. Last summer I was the batting coach at Wynnum - Manly where Ali McDermott is club coach and I run my own coaching clinics to fit in with my other business. I have done some country clinics with Bulls Masters and obviously this week am assistant coach of Bulls 2nds here against the Vics.
And now you are assisting your old mate Joey Dawes with Papua New Guinea?
Yes I am off to Dubai tomorrow with the mighty Barramundis where they are playing a World Cup qualifying event. It’s great fun working with their batsmen especially as their intent is attack – much the same as mine! They are great lads and very keen to learn.
Might be tough being away from your wife Liz and 15 month old son Harrison for too long if the Barras go super well in the comp mate and hang in until the end?
Luckily Liz is very understanding so all should be well!
And you are still making the odd cameo appearance for Surfers Paradise Demons in the Gold Coast competition?
Yes and hopefully we bat this weekend given I shall be overseas the following. Be tragic if we fielded tomorrow.
(I sidearmed to Reardo this week and he stills strikes it very well!)
Now mate can you explain the story on your own adventure company which seems to be going quite well and how it came about?
Sure. I started it in 2015. The company is called “Outside Edge Adventures” and it is something I really love doing. I have always been a passionate fisherman and love the bush so my idea was to run adventure fishing trips to spots in Queensland, Tonga and New Zealand. Anywhere in the East Asia Pacific region really. Rather than go back into carpentry I thought why not have a go at something I am passionate about and this really fits the bill.
So is it for corporate or families or what?
I can cater for any sorts of groups.
Mainly it suits very keen fishermen so I guess groups from this demographic are the most likely to want to do the trips but I can tailor it to suit anyone really.
If anyone is keen for more information on my adventure trips they can contact me on – info@outsideedgeadventures.com.au
Be great to get some cricketers out into the waters.
Well mate, best of luck in Dubai and also with your “Outside Edge Adventures” and by the way – a superb mentoring performance this week against the Vics by yourself!
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