Memorial details confirmed for Ben Austin – CODE Sports

Grieving family and friends will have the chance to farewell 17-year-old Ben Austin at a memorial at the home of Victorian cricket after he tragically died last month.
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Ben Austin will be farewelled at the home of Victorian cricket.
A memorial service for the 17-year-old will be held at the Junction Oval on Thursday, November 20, starting 11am.
The sports-loving teenager from Waverley Park died after being hit in the neck by a ball in the nets at Ferntree Gully’s Wally Tew Reserve on Tuesday, October 28.
His death set off an outpouring of grief at all levels of cricket, but particularly in the local competitions where he was emerging as an all-rounder.
He was playing this season for Ferntree Gully seniors and Eildon Park and Mulgrave juniors.
Ben’s father, Jace Austin, said his family was pleased to have secured the Junction Oval for the memorial.
He said Cricket Victoria staff including CEO Nick Cummins had been “brilliant’’ in supporting the family’s wishes.
He said Ben “absolutely loved’’ watching cricket at the ground and trained there this year as he tried out for Northcote Cricket Club’s Under 18 team as a bottom-age player.
“He went to the Junction any time he could to watch any form of cricket,’’ Jace Austin said.
Ben was a Collingwood supporter and the Magpies have offered the 2023 AFL premiership cup for use at the memorial.
Tributes to the Rowville Sports Academy student will continue this weekend.
At 8am on Saturday the Ferntree Gully Under 14 side for which Ben’s brother Zach plays will observe a minute of silence before its match. Players will gather around the “BA 512’’ sign painted on the oval.
The Ferntree Gully senior team will also take a minute of reflection when it visits South Belgrave.
Jace Austin said his son played junior rep games at the South Belgrave.
“It’s quite fitting that the Gully firsts will be playing there on Saturday,’’ Jace Austin said.
He will also present a cap to Ben’s friend Noah Lavale when he makes his First XI debut.
Meanwhile, former Victorian champion Darren Berry, who coached Ben at Rowville Sports Academy, has paid tribute to the young cricketer.
On a social post he said Ben was “such a beautiful young man’’.
“Benny boy, it was an absolute privilege to have been able to coach you during our five years together at RSA,’’ he said.
“You taught me just as much as I taught you. Attitude, effort, honesty.’’
He said the “king of the yo-yo test’’ – a reference to Ben’s running ability – would always be in his heart.
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