Worthy of a Gold Medal!!
Brenton Barker is Randwick Petersham capped 1st Grade cricketer no. 64. And while he didn’t make a big splash in his only 1st Grade game in 2008-09, he certainly did last Sunday, 1 August, when he swam the English Channel!
The motivation behind the swim was to raise money for Archer Pittorino and his family. Archer has been battling a rare form of Leukemia since he was 6. Brenton completed the approx.34 kms, non-stop swim, in 15 hours.
For the feat to be officially recognised, a swimmer mustn’t be assisted by any artificial aid. They are however, permitted to use goggles, a cap, a nose clip, earplugs and one costume that must be sleeveless and legless. The temperature of the water can be between 14 and 18C although it has been as low as 6C. It was simply an amazing performance by a former cricketer trying to make life a little easier for someone in need.
Brenton was a long-term player with Randwick Petersham. In 2008-09, the season he made his 1st Grade debut, he entered the club history books when he scored 105 against Bankstown at Coogee Oval. That century was part of a record 2nd Grade partnership of 309 in 207 minutes for the fifth wicket with Tim Laws, who hit 231. Brenton and Tim came together with the team score a tottering 4 for 24. It broke the previous all-grades fifth wicket partnership record of 197, set in 2002-03. Their performance also enabled 2nd Grade to post a new record team score of 7-389 declared.
In 2011-12, Barker retired from Randwick Petersham the 14th highest run-getter in the club’s 11 years history, with 2,754 runs in all grades from 120 matches at an average of 24.37. He scored two centuries and was (and remains) the second highest run-scorer behind Alex Sciascia in 3rd Grade, with 1,997 runs.
Congratulations Brenton Barker from everyone at the Randy Petes! If anyone deserves a gold medal, you do!!
To support Brenton and donate to this great cause click here
Check out Brenton’s feat here
Lyall Gardner OAM
