It’s been a phenomenal summer for Australian cricket: Nathan Lyon claimed his 500th Test wicket, Pat Cummins took five wickets in three consecutive innings, and David Warner hit a half century in his last ever innings.
While the country has lapped up the incredible feats on the pitch, there’s few people who have basked in the summer of cricket more than Chris Napper.
An accountant with Ulton’s Business Services team, Chris’s passion for the sport comes as easily as his affinity for numbers. It’s second nature.
“I pretty much had a bat and ball in my hand since birth,” said Chris.
“Cricket has always been a huge part of my Dad’s life… and as a kid, I just always wanted to be part of the action — I always wanted to be involved,” said Chris.
As a four-year-old, Chris made his debut in the local paper with a photograph of him asleep on his Dad’s cricket bag, under the shade of a tree off to the side of the community cricket pitch.
It was the first of many times Chris would appear in the pages of the newspaper for his cricketing pursuits — and possibly the only time Chris has ever slept during cricket in his entire life.
Today, Chris is very much part of the action. He’s captain of the Norths First Grade cricket team, he plays on the Wide Bay representative squad, he is the Norths Cricket Club secretary, and he regularly attends Bundaberg Cricket Association meetings as a committee member.
“I was selected as a batsman for Wide Bay representative cricket, but in local cricket, I do a bit of everything — I’ll do whatever is required for the team,” Chris said.
Often, the call of duty isn’t just limited to what happens on the pitch.
“I’m pretty involved in the day-to-day running of things: managing emails, organising uniforms and registrations, and upgrading the facilities,” he said.
Reflecting on how he became so involved with his club, Chris said, “I heard there was a meeting on [at the club] but I had no idea what the meeting was for. I just showed up, showed my face, and became part of it.”
For Chris, it was that simple.
Through the association between local Bundaberg cricket and Bulls Masters, Chris has also had the opportunity to see various Aussie cricketing legends come through town over the years. Legends like Andrew Symonds, Jimmy Maher, and Michael Kasprowicz — just to name a few.
While cricket has been the catalyst of some incredibly special introductions, there’s one that’s head and shoulders above the rest.
“I actually met my partner Jess at Friday night cricket,” said Chris.
“As it turns out, I play cricket with her Dad,” he continued with a laugh.
Chris and Jess quickly realised they have plenty in common. Chris loves his cricket and Jess loves her softball; and they both have an enduring love for travel, which makes their countdown to their next overseas trip that much more exciting.
In late March, Chris and Jess will take off to spend two and a half weeks travelling through Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.
No stranger to adventures abroad, planning a trip like this brings back the familiar anticipation of stepping into the unfamiliar.
Chris has studied in Iowa and visited communities in Uganda. He’s built mud brick ovens in Peru and hang-gliding in Brazil. He’s walked the Kokoda Track and the Inca Trail. He’s caught the NBA at Madison Square Garden, experienced the magic of Disneyland twice over, and soaked up the scenery in Pittsburgh.
“I think travelling and opening yourself up to different things just makes you a more rounded person,” Chris said.
“It takes you away from the big-fish-little-pond effect,” he continued.
Around the same time Chris and Jess will take off for their overseas adventure, Chris will also become a chartered accountant — a qualification he has been studying for the past two years.
“Getting my CA will give me a bit more exposure to different things, which I’m looking forward to,” said Chris.
Whether it’s travel or cricket, sports or work, Chris’s quiet motivation to get involved — to be a part of something bigger — speaks volumes about his character.
“Growing up in a small town, you can wander to the cricket pitch, to the soccer field, to the swimming pool. You can do it all,” said Chris.
As Chris continues to pursue his life’s passions and reach new career milestones, he’s living proof of how embodying an “I can” mentality opens the door to a rich and exciting life.