Alumni in Focus: Nick Winter
Opening bowler for the Redbacks and Strikers, Nick Winter, is this month’s Alumni in Focus.
A Bachelor of International Studies graduate, Nick moved from Canberra at 19 to pursue his cricketing career. It took five years, but in 2018 he made his first-grade debut for South Australia.
What are your favourite hobbies?
I enjoy walking my two dogs (Memphis & Wilfred) and keeping track of other sports (especially English soccer).
Favourite place to eat in Adelaide?
303 by the Sea at Henley Beach.
The most valuable lesson I have learned is…
Make the most of it while you can.
Things can change quickly for better or worse.
Three words your closest friends would use to describe you?
Driven. Well-rounded. Organised.
Your definition of success?
When you fall asleep at night, being able to tell yourself you gave it 100%
Something you are grateful for?
Good health, family and friends.
I can’t get enough of…
My Ridgeback (Wilfred) – we are very close and go on a lot of runs together.
My mother taught me…
From a young age to take care of others and to give more than you receive.
And to always be selfless.
The biggest risk you have taken?
1. When I was 19 I moved to SA from Canberra to pursue a contract (moving away from everything I knew).
2. In 2019, I went bungee jumping in Queensland (for the first and last time).
How do you relax?
Chocolate and playing FIFA or video games.
Your cricketing career path in two sentences or less?
Starting cricket in Canberra playing for Saint Edmunds College, then Eastlake Cricket Club. And now a fully contracted Redbacks and Strikers player.
What did the Chester Bennett (Adelaide University Cricket Club Foundation) scholarship mean to you?
It coincided when I lost my Redbacks and Strikers contract (due to injury) in 2016, and was a massive help to my cricketing journey – both financially and the recognition. I have now joined the Adelaide University Cricket Foundation Board.
Why did you choose the Adelaide University Cricket Club (when you had other, higher paying, opportunities)?
The reputation, the history and the facilities. I train every day at Adelaide Oval with the Redbacks, so to be studying at the Uni, and also playing club cricket there, meant everything between my studies and cricket synchronised.
Your highlight/s playing for the Adelaide University Cricket Club in two sentences or less?
We won the T20 competition in 2020, which was the club’s first 1st grade premiership in more than 20 years.
What are your career aspirations for cricket?
To be a consistent member of the South Australian team and to contribute to winning games for the State.
Biggest career highlight?
Making my debut for the Redbacks in the Sheffield Shield in 2018. I waited five years to make my debut, and I got five wickets, which was a massive milestone.
When and how did you know you wanted to study your chosen degree?
The average cricket career is just three-years so I was mindful of life post-cricket. I chose International Studies because it was up to date and relevant to the modern day.
What are your career aspirations beyond cricket?
I have always taken my studies seriously. I have been pushing myself along the way, upholding a high GPA. I have intentions to getting into the 'office life' but not sure which area.
In 2016, the Adelaide University Cricket Club Foundation, through the support of valued donors, established the Chester Bennett Scholarship, which is offered annually to a University of Adelaide student. The inaugural scholarship was awarded to Nick Winter.