Analysis My Place, By Sally Morgan
...ut his career perhaps his greatest achievement is the truly Australian beliefs, values, and attitudes he has stood by and followed right through his entire life. Born in Summer Hill, N.S.W in 1959, Dirk was an only child and had a very loving relationship with his parents. Dirk’s childhood revolved around cricket, with his father playing the game, and the local cricket ground opposite his home, Dirk couldn’t help but spend all his time there. He would spend his time training and developing his skills to fulfil his dreams of one day becoming a true professional. Even at this young age, Dirk showed dedication and determination in working towards his dream. When Dirk was 14, a local cricket coach, Bob Simpson, discovered Dirk’s tremendous skill and he looked after the development of it over the next few years. With Bob’s encouragement and training as well as Dirk’s strength and courage he became a local cricket hero and was selected to play for a local club. Fate has been cruel to the young man. At the age of 19, He had a double blow, the first when he lost his father early forcing him to join his mother in selling vegetables. Then less than a year later he lost his mother, causing him to quit the game due to the extreme emotional trauma. Dirk was forced to work with a tyre company just to earn a living. But this was only temporary. Dirk’s ambitious drive saw him return to play the game for another local club. This was the turning point in his incredible career. Dirk battled through his hard times and due to his strong-willed spirit and willpower, less than a year later he was selected to play for N.S.W in the Sheffield Shield. He captained the side and led them to victory by hitting a century in his first-class debut. Since then his career was on a steady rise. He then moved to Tasmania, also leading them to a remarkable victory in the Sheffield Shield ending the 5-year losing str...