Willowers All,
I start this year’s President’s report on a sad note. Firstly because of the passing of Merv Wallace, a member of the 1937 and 1949 New Zealand touring teams to England, and John Hayes, also a ’49er. Both were Willows members. Merv was recognised as an extremely fine cricketer and an outstanding technical batting coach, whilst John was a very successful fast bowler. Also the recent and sudden passing of Major Bob Millar of the Salvation Army, who was a regular and significant attendee at The Willows on Sundays.
I wish to pay tribute once more to our honorary member, the Governor-General, His Excellency The Honourable Anand Satyanand. Not only did His Excellency kindly agree to speak at the boys’ dinner at St Bede’s, he also sponsored a Governor-General’s XI to play against The Willows. The Willows team comprised former New Zealand representatives and they were narrowly pipped by a team of outstanding young players. We hope this fixture will become a permanent biennial event. We are deeply indebted to the Governor-General, not only for his support of The Willows, but his generous support of young New Zealanders.
The night before the Governor-General’s game New Zealand Cricket hosted a dinner for both teams where their Chief Executive, Justin Vaughan, conveyed a strong message to the boys of the discipline and work ethic needed to succeed at the top level of cricket. We were also delighted to welcome the founder of Dilmah Tea, Merrill Fernando, to the dinner and the game. I thank Justin and New Zealand Cricket for their continued and important support of the Club.
The Willows were represented by an Under 17 side in India, Oman and Sharjah. As I write this report they have only just returned. They had excellent results, and the feedback I have received shows they were a credit not only to the Club, but as cricketers and young New Zealanders. We are indebted for the work of Paul McEwan, Ken Rust and Rodger McHarg who coached and managed the tour.
This year our two scholarship students to England are Liam Bartholomeusz from St Bede’s, and Peter YoungHusband of Nelson College. We wish them well on what will be a great adventure.
On the playing fields I am pleased to see that the selectors took heed of the President’s warning and the win/loss ratio was heavily in the Club’s favour this year.
Again this season we were dependent on the voluntary hard work of individuals that allowed the Club to function so successfully. Vincent Cusack and Peter Devlin have, as always, produced a magnificent wicket block on which many runs were scored during our long, hot summer. But I would also like to thank the umpires, the scorers, our caterer and resident barbecuers who contribute so much to the activities on Sundays. The members of your committee and other Club members have contributed much time to further the constant improvements of our facilities. There are too many of you to name personally, but your efforts do not pass unnoticed.
It is a continued pleasure for me that so many schools are represented at The Willows in the course of a season. We are grateful to the principals of the schools and those responsible for cricket in those schools. It is that contribution that makes The Willows the success it is.
The membership of the club remains strong and buoyant, and I know all the members will be ready and willing to face the many challenges the next cricket season will bring..