News & Achievements

Robbie Deans announced as next Club President
The Willows are delighted to announce Robbie Deans as our new President to lead the Club into its next chapter.
21 Sep 2025
John Mitchell

Q&A with Haidee Tiffen
Haidee Tiffen MNZM is currently Deputy Principal at Rangiora High School, our nearest neighbouring school. As an all-rounder she played 117 ODIs for…
30 Apr 2024
Don Neely
A former NZC President, captain of Wellington and Auckland, and author of more than 30 books on New Zealand cricket, Don was a great friend to the…
30 Jun 2022
Canterbury Kings and Magicians
Senior Men’s and Women’s teams warm up at The Willows alongside upcoming secondary school players, 1st October 2021.
24 Jun 2022
John Mitchell

A shot from the past
Six cricket internationals on display - This photograph, taken over 34 years ago, is of the Hadlee Family “XI plus” team during a match against the…
12 Jun 2022
Coaching clinics
A great bunch of keen Under-12 players, 38 in total, enjoyed two masterclass coaching clinics held at the wonderful facilities of Hagley Oval in the…
12 Jun 2022
Fred Goodall
Frederick Robert Goodall, ONZM, ED (1938–2021) Willows Member (2006–2021) Fred was the youngest person to officiate in our Test cricket history. He…
12 Jun 2022
Michael Heron QC and Charlotte Agnew-Harington

Sport, women and integrity
The increased focus on sporting integrity in recent years has coincided with an increasing emphasis on women’s sport. This has led to consideration of…
4 Jun 2022
John Mitchell

Q&A with Frankie Mackay
Frankie Mackay, Canterbury Magicians captain is an absolute legend in cricket. She was an integral member of the 2022 White Ferns ICC Women’s Cricket…
30 Apr 2022
Richard Hall

More than just an annual fixture
‘If you have a Heavy Transport licence; you will never be out of a job.’ – Winsome Dormer It is not only about the cricket, the beautiful surrounds…
30 Apr 2022
Dan Vann

Mind games – how to improve mindset and mental skills as a cricketer
By way of something different this year we have asked Willower Dan Vann to focus on the mental side of cricket. His words are aimed at coaches /…
30 Apr 2022
President’s Report 2020/21
Willowers all, The 2020/21 season was a watershed season for The Willows. The shadow of Mike’s deteriorating health lay upon us, but he fought on to…
30 Apr 2021
Farewell MED: The Willows loses its marquee player after 27 glorious summers
Michael Edmund Dormer (1937–2021) Willows Assistant Groundsman (1994–2020) Variously described as “a force of nature” or “the Napoleon of North…
30 Apr 2021
Rebecca Rolls

Shifting the dial in sport
Rebecca represented New Zealand in both cricket and football. In cricket, as a wicketkeeper batsman, she played 104 ODIs, two T20s and one Test match…
30 Apr 2021
Denis Aberhart

To succeed in cricket
There would not be many more long-serving principals of a New Zealand school than Denis. He was first appointed as a principal in 1983 and has huge…
30 Apr 2021
Robbie Frew

Mike Johnston: coaching supremo
Good cricket coaches are as scarce as hen’s teeth. Here’s one from the top drawer. The article is written by a man who should know — Robbie Frew, who…
30 Apr 2021
John Mitchell

Q&A with Hamish Marshall
We are delighted to have the popular and high-performing Hamish Marshall share his thoughts on his career and on the current state of our game. Hamish…
30 Apr 2021
John Mitchell

A shot from the past
Early “Goat Herders” at French Farm, Banks Peninsula, 1882 - Despite the isolation and transportation issues of the time there was no shortage of…
30 Apr 2021
Iain Gallaway: the voice of cricket and rugby was a man of many talents
Iain Gallaway’s deeds in cricket, sports broadcasting and the law are well known nationally and also throughout the world. Here are two tributes — one…
30 Apr 2021
John Mitchell

Past highlights
In our 21st season we had three cliff-hanger matches which could have gone either way. One which eluded our grasp was played on 19 October 2014…
30 Apr 2021
John Reid: a towering career
Former New Zealand Test opener Bruce Murray remembers the greatest cricketer he ever played with.
30 Apr 2021
Stellar success for Stead and Fulton
Congratulations to two Willowers who have had outstanding seasons coaching at the highest echelons of our game. Under coach Gary Stead the New Zealand…
31 Mar 2021
I Zingari mourns an inspirational friendship
Mike Dormer’s involvement with I Zingari in Australia is in large part responsible for his vision of The Willows. Mark Hodge from IZ kindly penned…
31 Mar 2021
Inaugural Club Day
Photos from The Willows Club Day, during the match against Waimea College on 28 March 2021.
31 Mar 2021
Christmas Party
As is now our tradition, The Willows Christmas party was held during the Hawkswood Wanderers match on 13th December 2020. The Club welcomed…
31 Mar 2021
Around the ground
JR Reid and the ’49ers remembered - This photograph of the Christchurch Boys' High School 1st XI plus dignitaries was taken on Sunday the 15th…
31 Mar 2021
AB de Villiers: how good was this guy?
In my playing days I can remember being involved in only one game where a player scored a double century. It was against us too. During the 2020…
31 Mar 2021
Quirky bowlers
The moment of delivery. This is where the magic happens — that split second when only the bowler knows what’s about to happen. Or at least he hopes he…
31 Mar 2021
New lights for Hagley Oval
We congratulate the Chair and Trustees of the Canterbury Cricket Trust for the wonderful acquisition of new lighting during the 2020/21 season at…
31 Mar 2021
700 for IZ’s Hodge
In January 2021, Mark Hodge took his 700th wicket for I Zingari, Australia. The majority of his 700 wickets are a combination of skilful and well…
31 Mar 2021
Leading from the front – and done on the same day!
Sunday 31st January 2021 can be etched in the annals of Willows history. On that same day, against Nelson College 1st XI, David Kelly became the first…
31 Mar 2021
National champions again at Kindred Cup for our Over-35s
Our 2020/21 defence of the Kindred Cup started in a similar fashion to the previous two seasons, with conference losses to both United Country &…
31 Mar 2021
Valued links with our 1st XIs – Part 2
The article on school first eleven cricket in the last annual report was well received by readers. This is the second in the series and looks at the…
31 Mar 2021
Milestones 2020/21
Pre-season hit out - The oval provided an ideal setting for a warm-up match between the Lancaster Park CC Premier side and Christchurch Boys’ High…
31 Mar 2021

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