Newsletter #17 May 2018

Welcome to version seventeen of our newsletters. I hope they help keep all stakeholders in the Otago Country network up to date with the happenings within our organisation.
 
There has been plenty happened since the last newsletter and this one and I hope this version helps cover off most of it.
 
On the 15-17th January 2021 our association will celebrate 75 years as well as 25 years since we took the Fuji Xerox Cup (Hawke Cup equivalent) off Taranaki and 10 years since we won the Hawke Cup against North Otago. There has been a committee set up to organise the Jubilee/Reunion and I’m sure it will be a weekend to remember so keep your calendars free. Click on the links below to remind yourselves of the games,

versus Taranaki
​ https://archive.nzc.nz/Events/Fuji_Xerox_Cup_1995-96.html
 
versus North Otago
https://archive.nzc.nz/Events/Hawke_Cup_2010-11.html
 
Adrian Morgan has been in his role of Administration Manager for Otago Country now for around five months and has got his teeth firmly into the role. Adrian’s position is part time and part of a Pilot Project role agreed to by NZC, Otago Cricket and ourselves following a review conducted last year. He has completed our Health and Safety Policy and Vulnerable Persons Policy which have been adopted by the board. He has led the development of our Strategic Plan which will be ready for adoption at our July board meeting. Amongst other achievements he has completed a Facility Register for both the Queenstown Lakes District Council and the Central Otago District Council going into their Long Term Planning process, completed a Funding/Fundraising Policy and Social Media Paper. He is doing an excellent job and it’s great to have him on board. If you need to contact Adrian he can be reached on 0277333895 or email [email protected]
 
It was great to see the Sky Sport Cricket Show segment on the Hawke Cup team during their game against the Mid Canterbury side. A top notch look at what Hawke Cup means to our players and supporters. Well done to all involved. I had contact after the show with Lon Anderson (he of the White Coat fame). Lon was chuffed the coat was still going and said he’d had a few messages from some old team mates after the show aired asking if he was still alive, in reference to the “Memorial” part on the coat. I would like to thank Sky TV for allowing us to use the clip on our Facebook page.
 
At our board meeting in May we received a letter of resignation from Graeme Buttar. Graeme had been the face of junior cricket in the Vincent and wider Otago Country area for over a decade (12 years involvement and 10 years on our board) A hugely passionate individual who was prepared to roll up his sleeves and get stuck in. There is no doubt he will be missed not only in the junior area but at the board table as well. Graeme will assist with the transition and I thank him for that. I wish him all the very best and just know the golf course will get a hammering but I also know that there will be an eye being kept in our direction. Thanks for all you’ve done for the association mate.
 
There is a meeting around the junior cricket space at Breen Construction on 7th June at 5-30pm to set up a Junior Committee. This will be important as we move into the ‘Ages and Stages’ initiative from NZC and advance that policy through Otago Country.
 
We recently held a meeting between ourselves, Otago Cricket, Asplundh Molyneux Park groundstaff and the CODC to debrief on last season and sort out what is required leading into next season. Another positive meeting with all involved. I’d like to take this opportunity on congratulating the council on their willingness to assist with improvements to Molyneux Park to future proof the wicket blocks. There is increasing pressure on the blocks especially now the new decreased pitch lengths for junior cricket mean more use and more renovations. We appreciate the work that Ian Mann, Gary and Guy are facilitating to accommodate this change.
 
At our last meeting we welcomed prominent Alexandra business woman Liz Perkins to our board. Liz has a background in competitive cycling and has been involved in Ice Skating and Figure Skating administration at local and national level. Liz is the granddaughter of Jack Alabaster who coached our Fuji Xerox Cup winning side back in 1996. Jack of course played many seasons for Otago and had a distinguished test career for New Zealand. Liz will be an excellent addition to our board.
 
Our two Cricket Development Officers are in winter mode at the moment but I would like to take this opportunity to thank them both for their contribution to our association, they play the most valuable role in the development of our game in our region. They are the face of our association and work with the most impressionable people, our youngsters. They are the experts in their role, use them. Willie Miller who is based in Dunedin over this winter can be contacted on 0212790979 or email Willie @ otagocricket.co.nz. Emma Campbell although off contract at the moment can be reached on 0211242266 or email [email protected] If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact either of them, or myself.
 
While it is almost impossible to hold an awards function because we are so spread out it is most important we still recognise the efforts and achievements of our players. At the end of the season the players below were recognised for their efforts by their coaches.

Here are the Otago Country Award winners for the 2017-18 season. Congratulations to all the award winners.

Hawke Cup:
Batsman of the Year, No award.
Bowler of the Year, Bailey Andrews-Kennedy.
Player of the Year, Bailey Andrews-Kennedy.

U17 Boys:
Batsman of the Year, Reece Collin & Cam Jackson
Bowler of the Year, Lachie Weir
Spirit of Cricket, Matthew Nevill
Secondary School Girls:
Batsman of the Year, Olivia Hall
Bowler of the Year, Georgia Heffernan
Spirit of Cricket, Eden Carson
U15 Boys:
Batsman of the Year, Blake Cormack
Bowler of the Year, Fergus Reid
Spirit of Cricket, Damian Carson
U15 Girls:
Batsman of the Year, Anna Duncan & Caitlin Scherp
Bowler of the Year, Bridget Mullaly
Spirit of Cricket, Paige Loggenberg
Y7-8 Boys:
Batsman of the Year, Maz Cameron
Bowler of the Year, Brooklyn Smith
Spirit of Cricket, Fletcher Marshall
Primary School Girls:
Batsman of the Year, Anna Duncan
Bowler of the Year, Nina Hamilton
Spirit of Cricket, Bridget Mullaly
Y5-6 Boys
Batsman of the Year, James Dougherty
Bowler of the Year, Xavier Small
Spirit of Cricket, Alfie Omelvena-Flame
​
I couldn’t let the end of the season pass without thanking ALL our volunteers whatever role you play within the Otago Country Association. Without you we would be nothing. We really appreciate your most valuable contribution. Hard to put into words what you mean to us but “You guys Rock”.
 
 
Keep up to date with any news of the association by checking out our Facebook page at   https://www.facebook.com/Otago-Country-Cricket-Association-133940846657978/
 
If you have anything you need to convey to the organisation feel free to contact any of the above. We are open for business.
 
Cheers,
Malcolm Jones (Jonesy) Chairman