Last year Heidi Ryan cut short her celebrations with the Dubbo Rams after finishing runners up in the State Basketball League to look after her son Callum.
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But, win or lose, when her husband Jason Ryan’s cricket season draws to a close this weekend she is expecting no such favours in return.
Jason will captain RSL-Colts in the RSL-Whitney Cup grand final against South Dubbo at No.1 Oval tomorrow and Sunday, but as far as Heidi is concerned, Monday will be a write off.
“It’s a bit unfair,” she scoffed. “I had to come home last year but I don’t think he’ll be doing that this year.
“Although it’s always fun to go down and have a look (on Mad Monday).”
On Monday, Jason will most likely be found in his team’s sponsor, the RSL Club, possibly holding a fifth consecutive RSL-Whitney Cup premiership for the club.
And while Heidi will be looking to score points for the Rams against Central Coast Crusaders from 4pm on Saturday, she said she would definitely be at No.1 Oval with two-year-old Callum for much of the weekend as dad looks to hit runs.
“They’ve surprised me so far and I think they might be able to do it,” Heidi said of RSL-Colts’ chances of winning. “I hope they do.
“I will be playing basketball in the afternoon where we have a really new team that’s working well and starting to come together.
“We’ve lost our first two but there seems to be glad wrap on top of the rings - our shooting is something we’ve got to work on.
“I don’t really understand why people would want to chase a little red ball in 40 degree heat, but of course I will be there with our little boy to see his father.”
With the sporting commitments of mum and dad, weeknights can become quite hectic and that’s where Jason’s parents Mick and Bev and Heidi’s parents Doug and Bernie step in.
“Obviously we both have a lot of nights off for training,” Jason said.
“But we’re pretty lucky because our parents are pretty flexible and mine just live about three or four blocks away.”
Training has picked up in recent weeks too, especially for Jason as his side prepares for the grand final.“Our bowlers did their job once again in the semi-final and allowed us to chase a small total,” Jason said.
“Brad Cox had plenty of time in the middle which should serve us well, but the rest of us have all had two or three decent hits during the week.
“We’ve put in plenty of time and effort on the training paddock, now it’s just a matter of knuckling down and everyone having value for their wicket.”
And will Callum be a cricketer just like Dad?
“He doesn’t have a choice, unfortunately,” Heidi says. “He’s got a pretty good swing on him already.”
