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Hayden playing the good game off field
Issue 194 - 05 Feb 2010
By Laine Clark
ISSUE 194, February 4, 2010: His playing days for Australia may be over, but Matthew Hayden is still going into bat for a good cause.
When Hayden drew the curtain on his 16-year international cricket career in early 2009, the hulking opener vowed: "I am retiring from cricket, but not life".
He has been true to his word. His career speaks for itself - but his work in the 12 short months since his official retirement almost rivals it already.
Yet for some reason Hayden still couldn't see an Australia Day honour coming. Hayden, 38, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for service to cricket, and to the community through support for a range of health, youth and charitable organisations.
"I am very honoured, very humbled, very proud," Hayden said. "It is one of those awards that will inspire me to give back to a country that has given me so many opportunities."
He has already made an impressive start.
When he hung up his beloved baggy green cap, Hayden was already heavily involved in projects involving the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the McGrath Foundation, Queensland Health, the National Maritime Safety Committee as well as strengthening ties with Indian cricket as an ambassador for the Global Public School of Kerala.
But it is his work as an administrator for Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket (QC) where Hayden hopes he can also make some serious change.
As QC's Indigenous cricket chairman, Hayden is determined to help unearth an Indigenous Test cricketer for Australia.
His legendary love of the outdoors works hand in hand with reaching out to remote communities and providing cricket opportunities - and so much more.
"It comes from my true respect for our original land owners," Hayden said of his quest.
"Celebrating the colour of your skin is one of the great things about our wonderful country.
"And I believe an Indigenous cricketer will play for Australia very shortly. To make that happen we obviously have to work with players in the elite performance program, but also help extend a hand to regional areas.
"That way we can build relationships, not only cricketing relationships, but also build self esteem, and I think in the end, build a better country." - AAP
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