Music Brings The Balance For Ella and Jack

Many elite athletes speak of having balance.

A balanced life means they work hard on their game, but also make the most of the time where they can switch off and get away from schedules that can become all-consuming.

Jack Wood, 27-year-old all-rounder for the Brisbane Heat, and Ella Hayward, 20-year-old off-spinner for the Renegades and Victoria, have found themselves involved in music.

They are now both excelling in what started as just a bit of a hobby.

DJ Renegade

Ella Hayward showed her batting prowess at u/19 level for Victoria Metro, and already has 39 WBBL matches to her name. The young spinner has not been fazed during her performances for the Renegades, often bowling early in the powerplay.

Being quite experienced at WBBL level despite her age, her confidence and self-belief is growing more and more with each year.

“It’s definitely built my confidence in terms of fielding and bowling, and hopefully I can get there with the bat as well, but it just gives you that belief,” says Ella.

“I’m here for a reason and I’m good enough to be here and bowl to these players.”

Off the field you’ll find Ella playing golf, and often ‘spinning decks’, as a DJ, both as a hobby for fun but also the occasional gig.

Hayward had the opportunity to DJ at a Melbourne Renegades BBL match, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Having a few staff float the idea, Ella was keen to make something happen, so from that, she did a pre-game set and a ‘halfway’ innings break set.

“It was awesome, we got a big crowd and a bunch of kids around and made it a cool performance. I had a lot of fun with it, it was interesting being in front of such a big crowd. I’m super grateful to the Renegades for the opportunity and getting a taste for that kind of performing and doing something that I really enjoy.”

In terms of pursing the DJ’ing, it’s likely just a bit of off-field fun for now, however nothing is being ruled out.

“For now, it’s just a hobby, but hopefully over time it can be something that I get to do a bit more throughout off-season and perform a bit more, which would be a lot of fun. Who knows where I may end up with it?”

Ella sees great value in having something to focus on away from cricket, as full-on as it can be when you're in the thick of a busy schedule.

“It’s always good to have that something else that you like to do, to take my mind off cricket and focus on something else that I’m good at, whether it’s hobbies, other sports or studying, for me it just happens to be music and DJ’ing, which is something I really enjoy”.

Smoking Gun

Brisbane Heat’s Jack Wood has one of the more fascinating job descriptors – Big Bash Cricketer & Singer/Songwriter.

In 2020, Jack received a contract from Queensland, and made the transition from full-time sparkie to full-time cricketer. Jack made a couple of appearances for the Heat in 2020 as a local replacement player, and on debut got a wicket with his first ball. A couple of overs later he managed to dismiss Glenn Maxwell, finishing with figures of 2-28 off three overs.

Coming off that contract, Jack found music. Moving down to Adelaide for summer and spending a couple of winters in Darwin, pursuing the music dream turned out to have a significant impact on-field too.

“I’ve really enjoyed the balance of it... it’s been great for my cricket and takes a lot of pressure off – I’m enjoying both a lot. I can have a really bad day at cricket, but I still get to do a gig that night, so I love that part of it.”

Jack said moving to Darwin and being “thrown straight in the deep end, gigging 4-5 times a week” is an opportunity he wouldn’t have had in a bigger city, and was a terrific way to get himself some experience. Then getting to Adelaide and playing in the Premier Cricket competition for Port Adelaide was an experience that Jack loved.

“I met a lot of good mates and was gigging full-time, and I met a booking agent there who I’m now going into business with, in Brisbane,” says Jack.

“I’d like to think everything happens for a reason, I loved my time in Adelaide, met a lot of good people and made some good connections but it's good to be back home in Brisbane now.”

While yet to have an impact on the field since returning to Brisbane Heat’s list last year for BBL13, Jack found a way to have an impact via performing for the Gabba crowd at a game against the Thunder in December, an experience he described as “pretty surreal”.

“I’m working hard on my cricket and I’m ready to play whenever that chance comes, but if not, I’ll let the music do its thing and I certainly won’t hide from any opportunities.”

Jack has loved the experience of being around the Heat this summer, despite not getting a chance to play.

“Obviously it’s a shame not to be playing but it’s good to be around a winning team, it’s pretty awesome to see it unfold, the culture is great, I've got some close mates in the team, and I get along with the coaches really well, so it’s been good.”

Jack ventured into the songwriting path while in Adelaide, and in December 2023 released his first single, titled “Smoking Gun”, which you can listen to on all major streaming platforms. An album or an EP is in the planning for the next year, but for now, Jack is going to continue “just loving it for what it is”.

Both Ella and Jack are fantastic examples of elite cricketers pursuing their off-field talents and interests, all while continuing to perform on-field, showing the value of a balanced lifestyle, and the positive impact that this can have in all facets of life.