Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Celebrating 10 years of incredible support from our Members, the Heart of the Thunder Nation
Members: Mahen and Lesen De Silva
Suburb: Quakers Hill
The De Silva family joined the Thunder Nation as Members before BBL|05 but have been passionate fans from the start.
We caught up with 16-year-old Lesen and his Dad, Mahen, to ask them what it’s like to be part of the Thunder Nation.
When did you join as Members?
Lesen: “We joined just before the start of BBL|05.”
Mahen: “We’d been watching matches before that as well, but we really got involved five years ago.
“The Stubbs family, a family friend Jo Stubbs, she really inspired us to be a Thunder Nation member.
“Our kids were at the same school and that’s why we made the decision to become a member and from there we’ve moved onto the Captains’ Club and all those things.
“The three of us go to the games. Myself, my son and my wife. We attend every home game now.”
Favourite Sydney Thunder moment?
Lesen: “My favourite Thunder moment would be Eoin Morgan’s match-winning six at the end of the game against the Melbourne Stars in BBL|06.”
Mahen: “For me, I think any Thunder player that hits a great six. Bit like Daniel Sams did against the Heat the other night, that was phenomenal.”
All-time favourite Sydney Thunder player?
Lesen: “That’s a tough one, I think probably one of my favourite all-time players for the Thunder would be Usman Khawaja.
“Just because of his continued loyalty and passion for the Sydney Thunder.”
Mahen: “For me, I think it’s Shane Watson. He was a great asset, and a great thinker to lead the team. And he’s a real inspiration for the kids growing up.”
When you go to Thunder games, does it feel like your family is part of a bigger family?
Mahen: `“There are families that we sit together with. There’s about 20 of us and we always go together. We live in different parts of Sydney and we keep communicating through social media, but physically we only see them at Thunder games.
“Doesn’t matter if they’re in Canberra, or if at Sydney Showground Stadium.”
What keeps you renewing year after year?
Lesen: “Based on the performance of the team, that’s one thing, but the way the squad engages with the community like all the service that they do and how they are consistently working towards something bigger.”
Mahen: “Same. You’ve got the Fan Day, the team comes and intermingles with the fans. Last year, we were at Bella Vista Oval, but this year we understand that can’t happen due to the ongoing COVID issues.
“It’s a multicultural club and it’s a good thing to do during the summer holidays. Lesen gets at least a good 7-8 weeks of school holidays and we really look forward to it every single year.
“Back in Sri Lanka we hardly missed a Test match or any form of One-Day cricket played in the sub-continent.
“My son was born here in Australia and because of the family heritage, cricket was the number one thing during the summer, like a duck to a pond he loved it. I don’t think he had a choice!
“Previously, we had driven to Canberra and had not missed a single game honestly. We have not watched a live game this season at the moment but we’re waiting until the games come to Sydney Showground Stadium.
“We watch the game with a passion. We really love the game and we really love supporting Thunder.”
Sydney Thunder BBL|10 Fixtures
Fri 1 Jan | Vs Melbourne Renegades | Metricon Stadium | 7:15pm
Mon 4 Jan | Vs Brisbane Heat | The Gabba | 7:15pm
Thurs 7 Jan | Vs Hobart Hurricanes | Optus Stadium | 6:10pm
Sat 9 Jan | Vs Perth Scorchers | Optus Stadium | 7:15pm
Wed 13 Jan | Vs Sydney Sixers | Sydney Showground Stadium | 7:15pm
Mon 18 Jan | Vs Hobart Hurricanes | Sydney Showground Stadium | 7:15pm
Fri 22 Jan | Vs Sydney Sixers | SCG | 7:15pm
Sun 24 Jan | Vs Adelaide Strikers | Sydney Showground Stadium | 4:05pm
Mon 25 Jan | Vs Adelaide Strikers | Sydney Showground Stadium | 7:15pm
Sydney Thunder Memberships
Memberships start from $40 and offer access to a host of new benefits and exclusive discounts. View all packages here.
All Thunder Members will get priority access to BBL|10 tickets plus a 20% discount.
For more information or to join the Thunder Nation, please contact our Membership Team on 02 8302 6092.
Name of Author: Sydney Thunder
The Sydney Thunder is an Australian professional cricket team competing in the Big Bash League (BBL). Based at Sydney Showground Stadium, the Thunder, along with the Sydney Sixers, succeeded the New South Wales Blues from the defunct KFC Twenty20 Big Bash.
