NEWSLETTER No 19. 25th November 2018

Welcome to version nineteen of our newsletters. I hope they help keep all stakeholders in the Otago Country network up to date with the happenings within our organisation.
 
Well the season has begun in earnest with plenty happening all around the place with the Crosby Morris done and dusted with Queenstown sneaking in the back door to claim the trophy for the 2018-19 season but probably the story of this seasons competition was Caleb Carson from South Otago who by weight of runs has forced his way into the Hawke Cup team and has been added to the Otago U19 squad. Caleb stuck 74 out of 170 for our lads against a pretty strong Dunedin Metro side in the annual Stewart McKnight Trophy clash at Oturehua. It was a fine knock in fairly bowler friendly conditions.
Just a note to let you all know that Stewart recently had an ankle replacement and is in good form if not a little edgy and keen to get back on the bowling green. Really great to see Stewart at Oturehua for some of the game and thanks to Shirley for getting him there.
 
While on the subject of the McKnight family, Ken, at the ripe old age of 54 scored a double century a couple of weeks ago in club cricket over Yadina on the Sunshine Coast. Great effort Ken.
 
An exciting piece of news just received is that from next week on we will have a home at last. The Alexandra Rugby Club has agreed to let us utilise a small area upstairs at Molyneux Park for an office space. This gives us a ‘home’ and a base for Adrian and Willie to carry out their work. This is a huge step forward and I hope it is the start of a whole new relationship with the Alex Club which will benefit both organisations. A huge thanks to the ARFC for agreeing to this.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Trail Journeys for hosting Willie over the last 3-4 years and storing some of our gear. We really have appreciated your hospitality and wish you all the very best for the future.
 
Fraser Wilson and Jarred Andrew have the Hawke Cup side well organised and are confident of some good performances this coming season. Jimmy Pyle will lead the side again this season. The team is,
 
James Pyle, Captain and Wicketkeeper
Taylor Cumberland
Joel Meade
Reuben Pyle
Cam Jackson
Tim McCormick
Barry White
Kevin Loggenberg
Caleb Carson
Tom Myles
Bailey Andrews-Kennedy
Sam Blakely.
 
Unfortunately, their first game against North Otago was abandoned as early as last Thursday due to the extreme amount of rain in the Oamaru area leading into the game and both teams were awarded five points each.

This weekend they play current Hawke Cup holders Southland at Molyneux Park followed a fortnight later when they host South Canterbury at the same venue. Their last game in the Zone 4 elimination series will be 12-13 January when they travel to Ashburton to take on Mid Canterbury. Should they end as top qualifiers they will challenge Southland on 1-3 February at Queens Park in Invercargill. I’m sure you will join with us in wishing them all the very best of luck for the season.
 
We’ve got a couple of new sponsors on board this season which is great news. Both FMG https://www.fmg.co.nz/ and House of Travel https://www.houseoftravel.co.nz/hot-stores/otago-southland/alexandra have entered into partnerships with us and we are really pleased to have them on board.

We are also pleased to welcome Clare Toia-Bailey  and  www.image-central.co.nz. Clare is seen regularly at cricket all over our district and we use her photos often on our FB page.

So, if you need some insurance or travel or any photography done please use the businesses above.
 
A big thanks also to Liz Perkins at Monteith’s Bar http://www.mbba.co.nz/ in LX. Liz and her team will sponsor the new “ Sixes” to start in the New Year. Liz will also provide a staff member to help set up and organise the comp.
 
We have several funding sources that have supported us this season and I like to thank them greatly for this support,
 
Bendigo Valley Sports and Charity Foundation:
 www.bendigovalley.co.nz/
 
NZCT
http://www.nzct.org.nz/
 
The NZ Racing Board  
https://nzracingboard.co.nz/
 
The Trusts Community Foundation Ltd.
http://www.ttcfltd.org.nz/
 
Pub Charity
http://www.pubcharitylimited.org.nz/
 
It is just awesome to have these people supporting Otago Country and we ask that wherever possible can you please support them.
 
Congratulations to the following Otago Country representatives who have been selected to represent Otago at age group tournaments: 

Under 15: Paige Loggenberg, Caitlin Hollyer, Bridget Mullally, Anna Duncan, Caitlin Scherp.
Under 18: Kloe Vermeir 
Under 21: Eden Carson, Georgia Heffernan, Kate Heffernan.
Congratulations young ladies and all the best for your respective tournaments.
 
While on the subject of congratulations a special one to Toby Stanton from Queenstown who is the Otago Cricket SBS Bank Coach of the Month! Toby coaches the Division 3 Green team in Queenstown and is so well loved that some of them don't want to move up a grade! A massive thanks to Toby and all the other coaches in our Otago Country community, without you our kids wouldn't be able to get out and play the game we love.
https://www.facebook.com/OtagoCricket/photos/a.143309305694783/2878489645510055/?type=3&theater
 
Our administrator Adrian Morgan is a busy man and remains on top of everything in the OCCA. Don’t hesitate to contact Adrian should anything arise that you have a query about. Adrian can be reached on 0277333895 or email [email protected]
 
Our two Cricket Development Officers are into their summer mode now and 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 is back based in Alexandra and can be contacted on 0212790979 or email [email protected]. Emma Campbell 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.
 
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