'Every year, he donated shirts and items for "Give Me 5 For Kids" to help raise money for the local community,' said Joe Welsh, from the Macksville newsagency.
'He did a lot for charities.'
Phillip and his big brother Jason were both keen sportsmen and Phillip was a 'remarkable talent' from a young age.
'He worked so hard. He never gave up. From the time he was eight years old, he was playing against people that were three years older than him,' said the family friend, who wished to remain anonymous.
'And he was incredible. Making centuries every game.
'You just knew he was something special.'
The family friend says that it is 'unfair' that the youngster, who was always 'playing cricket or selling cricket raffle tickets' was killed by a cricket ball.
'None of us can believe it. It doesn't make sense. It's not fair.'
