Jayden Paul Hayes (SPC 2007-12)

Tributes poured in following the shock passing of champion cricketer and footballer Jayden Paul Hayes (SPC 2007-12) on 30 October 2024 after he tragically suffered a medical episode in his sleep at home.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Jayden’s family, including parents Paul Hayes (SPC 1977-82) and Leanne, younger brothers Jackson (SPC 2009-11, PY2014), Michael (SPC 2013-18), Geordie (SPC 2014-15, PY2019) and sisters Alannah and Leah, and extended family including grandfather Michael Hayes (SPC 1950-53, PY1953).

The young Ballarat-Redan Cricket Club First XI vice-captain and past captain was highly regarded across the Ballarat Cricket Association, having played representative cricket as a junior and senior, and also represented the Central Highlands Vic Country under-21s in addition to his achievements with the Two Swords.

Nicknamed “Tickets”, Jayden’s sporting endeavours also included being a longstanding player with Rokewood-Corindhap in the Central Highlands Football League.

The Ballarat-Redan Cricket Club led an emotional tribute to the long-time player at the Alfredton Recreation Reserve on the Saturday morning after his passing, prior to the start of BCA First XI match.

The Two Swords and Hayes’ family were joined by other Ballarat Cricket Association, Rokewood-Corindhap Football Netball Club and Ballarat Memorial Sports Bowling Club representatives, and friends.

More than 200 people attended the gathering, standing in a semi-circle with Hayes’ Ballarat-Redan cap draped on a cricket stump as the centrepiece for a minute silence and other tributes led by club leaders Brett Mason and Paul Aikman, and his father Paul.

Ballarat-Redan and Golden Point players also paid tribute to Jayden at their BCA senior women’s match the night before.

Jayden’s funeral was held at the Alfredton Recreation Reserve on 18 November, and mourners were asked to honour Jayden by wearing a touch of green or club colours.

Jayden was remembered for his love of a fun time.

The Ballarat Cricket Association gave tribute, saying “Jayden is a hugely popular member of the Ballarat-Redan Cricket Club, spending more than half of his life playing cricket with us since joining in the under-14s.

“His love of fun, ‘interesting’ mannerisms, unique catch phrases on the field, self-labelled ‘best fielder in the BCA’ and most of all his friendship to so many will be so painfully missed.

“Tickets, we’re so grateful to have been a part of your journey cut too short.”

Rokewood-Corindhap Football Club, where Jayden also played for more than decade, remembered Jayden as “a vibrant spirit whose energy and humour left a mark on everyone he met.”

Jayden worked as a groundsman at Ballarat Turf Club, which paid tribute – “Jayden was a remarkable employee and an even better human, leaving a lasting impact on everyone at the club.”

Jayden was a day student at SPC along with his brothers and he showed both academic and sporting ability during his schooling.

Jayden received several academic Chris Nolan Awards, and was playing in the First XI Cricket team from Year 8, where the 2009 College Annual described the “leg spinning debutant … performed very impressively (and) bowled well, tossing the ball up on a length with his leg spinners”.

Jayden played cricket in Year 7 & 8 and was also joint Vice Captain of the Second XI Cricket team in his Year 12 year.

Jayden was a speedy runner and was also part of the Athletics team, coming an impressive 10^th in the senior BAS Lap of the Lake in 2011 in a time of 23.24; fourth in the Year 9 Lap of the Lap in a time of 24.37, and second in Year 8 in a time of 25.27.