Cricket Champion On and Off the Field: Amey Jambekar Named Cricket Australia’s Community Match Official of the Year
Amey Jambekar, a dedicated figure in Tasmania’s cricket community, has been named the Cricket Australia Community Match Official of the Year—a prestigious recognition of his contributions as a player, coach, administrator, and umpire. His journey from the cricket-loving streets of India to the heart of grassroots cricket in Australia is a story of passion, service, and unwavering commitment to the game.
“I started playing cricket at a very young age,” Jambekar shares, reflecting on his early days in India. After moving to Australia in 2006, he joined St Virgil’s Cricket Club in the Old Scholars Competition, which later merged with the Southern Cricket Association. In 2011, he moved to Blackmans Bay District Cricket Club, where he continues to play today.
Beyond playing, Jambekar has taken on multiple roles to support the sport. In 2021, he joined the board of the Huon Channel Cricket Association (HCCA), where he now serves as treasurer. That same year, he stepped into umpiring—a decision driven by a desire to give back.
“There was a shortage of umpires, and I had some spare time,” he explains. “It felt like the right thing to do. Plus, it gave me a chance to see how challenging umpiring really is. As players, it’s easy to criticize decisions, but when you’re the one making them, you realize how tough it is.”
Since then, Jambekar has officiated in A, B, C, and Women’s competitions within the HCCA. He also coaches the Summerleas Eagles Women’s team, a role he’s held for the past two years. “In Women’s cricket, it’s especially rewarding to help players understand the game and support its growth,” he says.
He credits his development as an umpire to the support of mentors like Marcus Newman and Andrew Main, as well as training provided by Cricket Tasmania. “They’ve all been incredibly helpful,” he says.
Jambekar encourages others in the cricket community to consider umpiring. “It’s a thankless job, but it gives you a whole new perspective. When it’s one or two umpires against 22 players, you really understand the pressure. I think every player and coach should give it a go—it helps the game and the community.”
With his recent national recognition, Amey Jambekar stands as a shining example of how one person’s dedication can make a lasting impact on the sport they love.