15yr old cricket star Liam Catalfamo.
Camera Icon15yr old cricket star Liam Catalfamo. Credit: Supplied/Dominique Menegaldo

Work on field rewarded

Staff ReporterStirling Times

The strapping 15-year-old juggles a heavy workload ” multiple cricket training and personal fitness sessions a week with Year 10 studies at Sacred Heart College.

The hard work has not gone unnoticed in state cricket circles. At the recent WACA awards night, Liam was announced champion player for both his club Sorrento-Duncraig (15s) and the Wanneroo District side after a standout 2012-13 season.

The fast bowler’s haul of 45 wickets at an average of 9.58 for Wanneroo District also earnt him the Watkins Shield for the best under-15s bowling aggregate, which included figures of 7- 20 against Mt Lawley.

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He also took 13 wickets at an average of 11.8 and scored 314 runs for Sorrento-Duncraig.

His efforts also landed him spots on the Emerging Warriors North/West Metropolitan and State Schoolboys 15s squads.

He was part of this year’s victorious Emerging Warriors side.

His career tallies are just as impressive ” 1031 runs (avg 26.44) and 99 wickets (avg 11.40).

Liam, who will find out shortly whether he has made the Wanneroo District 17s squad for next season, credits his achievements to date to ‘hard work’.

But he will soon face a big decision like so many young talented sportspeople ” which sport to pursue to reach a professional level.

At an imposing 182cm and skills to match, Liam’s abilities on the football field could open up other sporting opportunities through WAFL club Subiaco’s development squad.

Playing as a ruck/rover for the North Beach Junior Football Club last season, he finished runner-up in the WAFL junior district’s B Division.

‘I’m not sure yet,’ he said when asked which of the two sports he was more inclined to pursue in the future.

‘If cricket keeps going as it is I’ll go with cricket, but we’ll see what happens.’

His district 15s cricket coach Cliff Estall said Liam had both a natural ability and the right temperament to succeed.

‘He’s got huge potential to go a long way in the game’