Newsletter No 11, 1st September 2016

Welcome to the 1st of our newsletters for the new season. The aim is to keep all stakeholders in the Otago Country network up to date with the happenings within our organisation. 

Huge news just released that Molyneux Park will host the SBS Otago Sparks on the 2-3-4 December against the Canterbury Magicians and then later in the month the SBS Otago Volts play two T20 games, 26th v Canterbury then on the 28th they take on the Wellington Firebirds. This is great recognition for the area and shows great faith in the work of the Molyneux Park groundsman Andrew Douglas and the quality of surfaces he provides. I can’t wait to see those banks packed with spectators both local and visiting. A huge thanks to Otago Cricket in having the faith in our organisation to support them in hosting these games.
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While on the subject of Molyneux Park, Andrew Douglas and his team from Asplundh are currently in the process of re-laying the No1 block. This is the first time since the late 80’s that such a major resurfacing has taken place and should reinvigorate the quality of the block. This work will cost around $20,000 and is a collaboration between the CODC, Otago Cricket, OCCA, Asplundh and the Central Lakes Trust. This is a big investment into the future of cricket and will benefit all players in the Otago Country region and I want to thank all those involved.

Molyneux Park No 2 will host the SBS Otago Volts for a 4 day training camp during the last week in September 26-29th. This will be a full on training camp for the full squad and there will be opportunities for some community involvement. This part is TBA. Another show of faith in the work of Andrew Douglas who is working hard to make this happen.

The OCCA playing program has been completed and is available on the website otagocountrycricket.co.nz It is a really busy time leading up to Xmas including two age group boys tournaments, U17’s in Oamaru over Labour weekend and U15’s being held again at Molyneux Park 19-20-21 December and our Secondary Schoolgirls have a two day tournament in Dunedin 29-30 October. 

The Hawke Cup team program is as follows;
1st October. Hawke Cup Squad Training @ Molyneux Park No2.
8-15-30 October. Crosby Morris @ Molyneux Park No 3 & 4. All four teams to play each day. This will allow for all prospective Hawke Cup players to be seen by the selectors.
November 27th. Stewart McKnight Trophy, Otago Country v Dunedin Metro @ Oturehua.
December 3-4. Otago Country v North Otago @ Oamaru
January 14-15. Otago Country v Southland @ Molyneux Park No1
January 28-29. Otago Country v South Canterbury @ Molyneux Park No1
February 18-19. Otago Country v Mid Canterbury @ Ashburton 

You will have noticed above that the Crosby Morris is to be played over three weekends in October. This will allow the selectors to see all those who are keen to play at the higher level of cricket. At our last Board meeting each district representative gave the go ahead for this format for the season. It is now up to the players from South Otago-Vincent-Lakes and Maniototo to support this initiative and get into it. The squad is to be named soon.

It’s that time of year again with AGM’s at the various associations,
South Otago Cricket Association and Maniototo TBA
Vincent Cricket Association at the Cromwell Sports Club at 7-30pm on the 7th September.
Otago Country Cricket Association at Breen Construction at 5pm on the 29th September.
Otago Cricket Association at the University of Otago Oval at 5pm on the 26th October.
I encourage you to get along and support these organisations that give of their time freely to make your cricket experience enjoyable. These meetings give you the opportunity to make a difference. Take it. 

Our two Cricket Development Officers, Willie Miller and Emma Campbell are as busy as organising school visits, rep trainings, holiday programs, accelerator courses, coaching courses etc. Willie is back based in Alexandra and is working out of the Trail Journeys office at the Clyde turn-off and he can be contacted on 0212790979 or email Willie @ otagocricket.co.nz. Emma is still based out of Queenstown and 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.

I would like to give a big shout out to Ian Mann and the Central Otago District Council for their help with the running of cricket up at Molyneux Park. We have just completed our ground bookings at Molyneux for the season and it’s been a pleasure working with Ian and his team. 59 ‘cricket days’ booked on the ground so far without any club cricket bookings so this great venue is getting plenty of use. The OCCA and CODC are continuing to build a good working relationship, which will continue to benefit us both in the future. Also the relationship that we have with the council contractor Asplundh groundsman Andrew Douglas is invaluable. As you have read Andrew and his team have a busy time this season and we wish him all the best.

Just following on from that, we are looking for a few volunteers to assist with some preparation and helping out at times with covers up at Molyneux Park during the season. If you are able to help out in any way at all please contact me ASAP. The old saying ‘many hands make light work’ is particularly relevant at cricket grounds.

While on the subject of ‘wanting’ people our Umpires and Scorers Association are always after more members. This is a great way of giving something back to the game once the playing days are over. If you are interested in helping out in any way don’t hesitate to contact me as ‘first port of call’ and I will point you in the direction of someone that will help. There are plenty of resources to assist with developing your skills in these areas, just ask! 

Keep an eye on the Otago Country Cricket Association Facebook page for news updates. You will notice the latest FB posts go on the ‘home page’ of the website as well.

We have just received our latest cricket gear through our sponsorship relationship with Kookaburra and it’s looking sharp. We have also picked up our Kookaburra cricket balls for the season from the Otago Sports Depot. No sporting organisation can exist without support from sponsors and funders and we appreciate the support we get from Blair Franklin and the team at Kookaburra Sport New Zealand LTD and encourage you all to support them as they support us.

Our thanks also to the New Zealand Racing Board for their generous grant to assist with playing equipment. It is greatly appreciated.

Please support these people and organisations where possible as they have supported us so generously.

If you have anything you want included in these newsletters please don’t hesitate to contact me.

 Cheers,
 Malcolm Jones, Chairman