Senior Cricket year in review
What a difference a season makes, what started with an AGM in August has finished with Uniteds claiming revenge over Northern Districts for the defeat suffered in the 2016/17 season grand final. In a year that saw Combine Services return to the winners circle (and very nearly through to the second round of finals) the following is a recollection of my first year as the Chairman of Herbert River Cricket.
Changing of the guard - The year started with Chairman Peter Aranas and Senior Director Jodie Venable receiving well earned breaks with their positions filled by myself and Craig Menagon. I will be the first to admit my ignorance in relation to the work done behind the scenes by these two, the committee and any volunteers in general. I thank you all and in particular Peter and Jodie for the years of service provided to the club.
Our club moves into the 21st Century - with the help (and patience) of Joanne Hodgetts and Paul Britton our club stepped into the 21st century this season through the use of MyCricket. Joanne and Paul’s input enabled our club to move our registration process online and most impressively our scoring (which was quite a hit with those stats driven players). I feel these changes have been significant for our club moving forward and one of the many highlights of the season. Thank you Joanne and Paul.
We can’t get enough cricket – With the change in leadership came some fresh ideas, a restructure to the draw, playing an extra round of cricket and whilst not a new idea the introduction of an all age T20 completion. I feel these changes where a success with less breaks around the Christmas period and extra cricket being played. A special mention must be given to Haydyn and the entire Grazioli family on the success of the all age T20 competition, what was to be a memorable weekend for the family (for reasons unplanned) proved to be a great success, and I feel will become a permanent fixture in future seasons.
New Invention – This season saw the end of an era with the painful and often time consuming task of reinserting stumps being removed with Paul Britton’s magnetic stump invention (soon to be patented) proving to be a huge success. Thanks Paul and we look forward to the Roomba inspired GPS mower being invented in the coming years.
It’s time for a break – This season also seen our head groundsmen for the best part of a decade Steven Carrara pull up stumps. In another admission of ignorance on my behalf, the work done by Steve and anyone who helped with the groundsmen duties cannot be underestimated, the grounds have never looked or played better and I take my hat off for the countless hours of work you have done, thank you Steve and helpers. A thank you must also go out to our new head groundsmen Kyle Chiesa and his helpers for making the change as seamless as possible.
New blood for over 40’s – With event creator and co-originator Greg Erkkila stepping aside from the hugely successful Over 40’s T20 competition this year there was some uncertain times for this event, however with Kyle Chiesa and his partner Jess taking over as event co-ordinators with the help of Paul Britton the event will go ahead with The Hinchinbrook Hotel being welcomed as the new naming sponsor. A huge thank you must go out to Greg Erkkila and previous naming sponsor Party Time for the prior success and growth of this date claiming event.
Representative Cricket – This seasons saw the goldfield ashes as our only representative cricket to be played, from all accounts Herbert River was represented admirably in the men’s A and B Divisions. In another club first Hebert River was represented in the women’s division by the Herbert River Angry ladies.
The cream of the crop – Our annual presentation night held at the Trebonne Hotel was by all accounts a success, congratulations to all award recipients with special mention to Troy Menegon whose season with the bat was something to behold. A huge thank you goes to Gavin and the staff at the Trebonne Hotel for putting on this event.
The Nursery - I also want to send a huge thank you out to the Milo Cricket Team lead by Paul Britton and the Junior Cricket Committee lead by Steve Carrara for all the work you have put in this season. You have helped to nurture, shape and ensure a strong future for our great club; this is evidenced through the number of local juniors filtering through to the senior completion.
The Future – The 2018/2019 season will be here before we know it, with this I send an invitation to any member of our four clubs, or the public who has an idea or would like to put their hand up to help our club in anyway, to attend our AGM which we will look to hold in the month following the completion of the Over 40’s.
While I try my best to personally thank anyone that volunteers their time to help in anyway (whether this be working the canteen, emptying bins, stacking chairs, cooking on the bbq, umpiring or scoring ) I appreciate the help provided and if I did not get to you personally please take this as a thank you. My fellow committee members (Mick Bain, Des Rooker, Steve Carrara, Craig Menegon, Paul Britton and Haydn Grazioli) I thank you for your guidance, without it I’m not sure if I would have made it throughout the season. Our sponsors, I thank you for the ongoing support as our club is in the position it is today because of you. Finally to my wife, I thank you for the support you have given me (whilst looking after our 4 beautiful children) throughout a challenging yet rewarding first year in the role of Herbert River Senior Cricket Chairman.
Chris Bradshaw
HRCA Chairman