A HEALTH worker, a cricket fanatic and a multicultural ambassador – Titus Alias may have only lived in Tamworth for a handful of years, but his roots in the community are deep and strong.
Mr Alias arrived in Tamworth from India in 2013, and as a nurse in a city that’s had a difficult time securing enough health professionals to meet the regional demand, his contribution to the community is invaluable.
But it’s in the city’s multicultural-sporting fabric where he’s really made an impact.
In 2016, Mr Alias co-founded a multicultural cricket team, the Country Boys, to compete in the statewide Super 8 competition.
And just two months after they formed, they took out the premiership.
Made-up of mostly Indians who now call Tamworth home, cricket is more than just a game to the team.
“Cricket is just in our blood,” Mr Alias said.
“There’s lots of people from cricket playing nations like India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan [in Tamworth]; all of these guys could put up a team and we could have a multicultural comp.”
“It’s one game we’ve grown up watching more than any other game. We love cricket and especially when it’s closer matches.”
Last year, the Country Boys hosted fellow multicultural team Wyong Warriors for a one-day match and Mr Alias hopes similar cricket competitions could become a staple on the local sporting calendar.
“The long-term aim is to have a multicultural cricket competition here in Tamworth and get the local cricket association, Multicultural Association and the council involved,” he said.
“We want everyone to get involved, get the local teams involved and have it as an annual event like Fiesta La Peel.”
