Indigenous US mentor reveals deep cultural tie to Pilbara baseball prodigy Tyrell Stewart

The coach of local baseball prodigy Tyrell Stewart has shared his deep cultural connection with the young star set to take to the US stage as the first Aboriginal person to receive a scholarship through the Nation College Athletics Association pathway. NCAA co-founder and Atakapa Ishak man Lynn B Spence said he connected with Tyrell as a young Indigenous man and was determined to help him make history. “One thing that was so important to me and when I spoke to him and his mother (was) the fact that they are Indigenous Australians,” he said. “(It) is really important to me to be able to provide this opportunity for him because Aboriginal people have a very similar history to the American Indians which are my people so to be able to provide this opportunity for him was at the top of my priority list.” Mr Spence said the program initially started as an alternative pathway for young people who couldn’t afford the exuberant price of training. He said Tyrell was selected for his unique athletic prowess and dedication to his studies. “One of the key things we saw (in Tyrell) was that we always project it’s not about what he can do right now we can project where he is going to be and one of the key things is that he was a three sport athlete. “He’s utilising his skills whether it be AFL, whether it be rugby or whether it be baseball so he’s an athlete, he’s just a natural athlete.” “We are not just flipping a coin and hoping this kids makes it we actually have genuine relationships, we know what kids of kids our coaches in the US are looking for and they're counting on us to have that kid prepared mentally and physically when they are there.” The mentor said US coaches had already shown keen interest in Tyrell as a player which he considered “unique” and “history making”.