Willowers All,
In the first two seasons it has been decided the founding members will act as the Club’s committee, with an AGM to be planned after the conclusion of the 1995-1996 season.
Objectives
- To offer quality cricket to cricket lovers in a country atmosphere where families may come to watch and picnic.
- To encourage players in secondary school first elevens to play with and against experienced players, many of whom are present or past first class cricketers.
Your committee, the first in the Club’s history, is delighted the objectives and ethos on which the Club was founded have been accepted and acknowledged by those who visited the Ground during the 1994-1995 season.
The founders acknowledge the tremendous contribution made to the Club by those members who have been able to participate in the various fixtures and, in particular, to the manner in which older experienced members have offered advice and encouragement to the younger members both on and off the field.
The Club is for the enjoyment of members and their families and this was well exemplified by the many children, grandparents, parents, wives and girlfriends who enjoyed the surroundings whilst picnicking, or by the children whilst feeding the ducks in the pond nearby.
The Club expresses appreciation to the four Colleges, Christ’s College, Boys’ High School, St Bede’s and St Andrews; to the other teams who provided keenly contested fixtures; and to the Forty Club from London who were the first overseas team to visit the ground.
The enjoyment experienced by so many would not have been possible without the contribution made to the development and on-going supervision of the “square” by Vincent Cusack; to ground maintenance by the Waimak Council and Peter Devlin, supported by Kevin Blair; to the Pavilion design by Gerald Austin and construction by Eric Roberts. Our appreciation also to Barry Ellis of the Red Lion Tavern in Rangiora and Winsome Dormer, without whose foresight in purchasing the farm the Club would not have been formed.
"The Willows” Ground is also the “home ground” of the South Island branch of the London New Zealand Cricket Club which was formed in England in 1951 by Trevor Campbell, OBE, after whom the Pavilion is named. Trevor has contributed the following as his acknowledgement to the enjoyment he has received at the Ground and as a guide to younger members as to what cricket signifies in the busy world around us. (Trevor died two weeks after this was written).
"I stepped out into the warm sunlight bathing “The Willows” ground.
The blue sky above glorious snow topped mountains in the distance – it was a beautiful backdrop. The old farmhouse, willow trees and the wonderful green grass made a perfect setting for a game of cricket. I felt glad in my clean white flannels and whitened cricket boots as I strode to the centre of the pitch. I wore “The Willows” cap proudly for it signified my part in a Team.
Wherever I fielded I was determined to play my part. When the opposing batsman sent the ball close to me I fixed my eyes on it and raced after the ball. With a snatch of the hand I grabbed it, and hurled it to the ‘keeper. As a fine shot from the batsmen sped to the boundary or a six leapt into the sky, my heart bounded within me. If I was asked to bowl I remembered the wise advice of bowling straight and with a good line. When appealing I did with a strong shout but never in a raucous fashion, for the Umpire knows the rules. When their last batsman was sent to the Pavilion I generously praised the opposition for their fine strokes and good running.
Now it was out turn to bat, there was no grizzling about the number on the list, for the Captain makes the batting order for the benefit of the Team. The runs were run quickly, clearly called by each batsman and the end result was as good to see as a crashing boundary. Finally, when all was over and everyone had retired to the Pavilion to change, again I praised those who had performed well, above all for the team effort.
Cricket is a generous game and manners are a great part of it. It is played in God’s good fresh air abound with fun and friendship. I will always remember the glorious peacefulness of “The Willows” Ground far from the hustle and bustle of the city."
The Club intends to encourage an atmosphere where impeccable standards both on and off the field are maintained, where families can relax together, and where the true traditions of the game are conveyed to future generations through the association with secondary schools.
The Club’s future success is wholly dependent on all those who have accepted an invitation to become a “Willower”. Good luck.