Brian Breakspear, like most other cricketers, started playing cricket with his father and brother in their home backyard and moved on to playing cricket for his school team, Concord West Public.
“I grew up in the Inner West suburb of Concord West and went to Bass High School in the City of Bankstown," Breakspear said.
“I was presented (in 1961) with the Bass High School Inaugural Sportsman of the Year Award, for successfully representing the school in Cricket, Rugby League, Swimming and Athletics”.
In 2019 Brian was invited as a special guest to the school’s 60th anniversary celebrations. Brian donated his trophy back to the school for perpetuity to encourage students to participate in the school’s sporting curriculum.
“The trophy is displayed in the school’s library for all students to remind them, that sport is an important goal to achieve in one’s life experiences."
Brian, who worked as a NSW Police Senior Sergeant in his professional life, is one of Cricket NSW’s inaugural Distinguished Service Award recipients this year, for a life dedicated to being a cricket player and volunteer for over 50 years.
Over the last half century, Brian has held various roles across multiple organizations. His journey began with the Five Dock Waratahs (1971-1976) before joining Yaralla Cricket Club1891 Inc., in 1977, where he served as club delegate to the City and Suburban Cricket Association 1903 Inc., for 24 years, then as secretary for 14 years. He is currently a vice-president and the club’s historian since 2020 to the present. He was elected as a life member of the club in 2004.
Brian's commitment extended to the City and Suburban Cricket Association, where he was assistant secretary and was later elected secretary in 2004, a post he continues to hold. His voluntary duty as secretary culminated in being elected a life member of the association in 2019. His involvement with the NSW Police Cricket Club spans from 1977 to the present, including roles as player, captain, secretary, and umpire for 48 years, having then being elected as a life member in 2023. Brian also captained the NSW Police Cricket Club team on their 1987 tour of England.
In 2009, Brian was elected as a life member of the Australia & New Zealand Police Cricket Championship for his service as a player, championship coordinator and umpire since the Championship’s inauguration in 1977. In 1989, he was selected as the coach and player of the inaugural Australian Police Cricket team’s tour to England. He remains actively involved with the team to this day.
In addition to that, Brian was recognised as a foundation player of the NSW Veterans Cricket Association in 2008. He had served as association secretary (2008-2012) and captain/player from 2004-2018. His Veterans Cricket career was highlighted when selected as a player to represent Australia during the Over 60’s 2011 inaugural cricket tour of England and Wales.
His umpiring career is equally impressive, with 33 years of service to present, that included officiating in the Sydney Grade Cricket Association, Sydney Shires, Australia-New Zealand Police Cricket Championship; NSW Police Cricket and the Australian Over 40’s Women’s National Championship. Within these leagues, he umpired a total of 219 matches. He is a current member of the NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association and has been so, since 1992.
As a public servant, Brian has a glorious public service career spanning 39 years that included service in the Australian Army as a National Serviceman (1966-1968), NSW Police Force (1969 – 2002), the Licensing Court of NSW (2004 – 2008) and was sworn in as an NSW Justice of the Peace in 2007 to the present time.
Brian's dedication to promoting mental health in regional NSW through the Baggy Blues Organization has also been noteworthy, committing 10 years to the cause. Over the years, he has been touring as part of the Baggy Blues every season. As a police officer, he not only came close to mental health related violence crimes in the community but has also experienced the impact it can have on his peers.
Being part of the Baggy Blues is his way of giving back and sharing his experience and knowledge. He helps with the security during the events as his police alertness kicks in. He also helps set up grounds, manages the equipment and has assisted Warren Smith OAM with coaching young cricketers including girls, as well as a host of duties during the trips.
Duty and responsibility are Brian’s personal mottos. He brings that into his volunteering as well “I look at it as helping my fellow citizens. Volunteering is a personally rewarding experience. I set myself a goal to do something, and I take the ownership of achieving that,” he says.
As Brian continues to volunteer his time in cricket, he urges newer volunteers to join the force.
“I’ll never stop volunteering,” he says,
“It’s how I’ve been educated.”
Having to balance a demanding career and cricket wasn’t easy for him, but his enduring dedication is unparalleled. He has left a lasting impact on the cricketing community and wider society. Brian's unwavering commitment to volunteer service and his relentless passion for the sport make him a revered figure in the cricketing world.