What a stunning season for Members of The Willows. My warmest congratulations to Andrew Ellis and Tom Latham for their selection for New Zealand, honours they richly deserve. Also to Edward Nuttall, Theo van Woerkom, Connor Neynes and Arnie Yugaraja for selection in the New Zealand Under-19 squad. Willows members who played for Canterbury were Matthew McEwan, Edward Nuttall, Tim Johnson, Will Lonsdale, Ryan McCone, Andrew Ellis and Peter Fulton. In the Canterbury Country side The Willows were represented by Peter Fulton, David Fulton, James Tapper, William Williams, Matthew Rowe, Liam Bartholomeusz and Christopher Bartholomeusz.
As I write, our Under-17 team, selected from schools that play at The Willows is in Sri Lanka. One of the high points of this team was the agreement of the former Governor-General, the Right Honourable Sir Anand Satyanand, and his wife, Lady Susan, to accompany the team in a managerial role. I know Sir Anand and Lady Susan’s contribution will be very great, and the club is privileged that they agreed to join the tour. The team has six games in Sri Lanka and has three to play in Malaysia. They won their first five games, lost the sixth and have gelled into a wonderful touring party. We are grateful to the continued support of Mr Merrill Fernando, of Dilmah Tea. Without that support from Merrill, the tours would not be the celebration of cricket and youth that they are. Sir Ron Brierley also made a significant contribution that allowed these continued youth tours to flourish.
The biennial youth dinner at St Bede’s in October saw a visit from the former great Australian wicketkeeper/batsman Ian Healy. Not only did he speak at the dinner, he also provided coaching for school coaches and for promising wicketkeepers in the Christ’s College gymnasium. I am indebted to Ian for taking time out of his busy schedule to support the club.
Once again, the pre-Christmas celebration for members’ children and disadvantaged children was a highlight of the season. There was a barbecue, pony and donkey rides, sweets, ice creams, drinks and of course Father Christmas, who arrived on this occasion by fire engine. I am indebted to all Willows members who gave up valuable time to make this event such a success. I am extremely grateful to Mr and Mrs John Stewart, who kindly donated all of the toys that were gifts to the children who attended.
The Willows was also responsible for assisting in organising a cricket match in aid of a Master of St Thomas of Canterbury College who required overseas medical assistance. Part of the success of that day was the wonderful support the club received from our All Black member, Andrew Ellis. Sponsorship from club members meant a considerable sum was raised.
I would like to pay a particular tribute to the late Christopher Doig who played not only a hugely significant part in the development of The Willows, but was always willing to assist the club by hosting or singing at various functions since the club’s inception.
During the season the ground was made available to Shirley Boys’ High School 1st XI, as their ground was decimated by earthquake damage. Two new biennial fixtures were added. The first, the Wellington Wanderers XI, selected and supported by former New Zealand representative Evan Gray, who remains a staunch supporter of our Club. The second was the Sacred Heart College 1st XI from Auckland. I acknowledge the continuing support from schools and colleges, their Principals and Coaches, which extends from Sacred Heart College in Auckland to Southland Boys’ in the south.
To maintain The Willows Cricket Club to the high standard that has come to be expected is a costly business. I am grateful for the continuing and ongoing support from the Southern Community Trust, the New Zealand Community Trust, the Canterbury Community Trust, the Pub Charity and the Mainland Trust. The support they give enables us to maintain standards and provide youth cricket with outstanding playing conditions in a superb rural atmosphere. The success of the club’s activities is heavily dependent on the support of these trusts who I warmly acknowledge.
At the end of the season the top was taken off the square, which has been completely re-laid. There is ongoing regular maintenance of the outfield and our thanks go to Tony Stead in this regard.
There is always a long list of members and sup- porters to thank, and I hope I do not miss any.
Tony Campbell, David Brooke and Rob Abbott for their stalwart services as scorers. The town and country umpires who turn up and support the club week-in, week-out. Our particular thanks to Eddie Brownlee and Graeme Evans for their organisation. Our caterers, Lionel and Liz Ford for their excellent food and cheerful demeanour. Kaye and Wayne Miller, our near neighbours, together with their daughter-in-law Tash who host the after-match barbeques which have become a singular feature of games at The Willows. Jim Stringleman is present every Sunday as match manager and has given enormous assistance to the ground maintenance. Peter Devlin, of Country Cricket, is responsible for supervising the square. Our photographer from Oxford, Rex Hayward, can be seen all over the ground like an additional fielder, taking photos at every game. At the end of the day the photographs are placed on a flash drive which is given to the coach. This enables the coaches to use those photographs. As well, photographs are posted on our internet site.
I am grateful to those who support the work of the President and the committee. Andrew McRae, as Willows secretary, has continued sterling service, notwithstanding his now long- term residence in Timaru. Treasurer, Alistair Sheard does his best to keep the assistant groundsman on the financial straight and narrow.
Membership secretary, Isabel McRae and her husband John take a huge burden off others. And Richard Cowles, who produces our annual report and who has done outstanding work since our first report in 1994. It has to be said that our annual report is now a recognised cricket publication throughout the cricketing world. Every year after its release I receive countless letters and messages from overseas members appreciating the scope and quality of the publication.
I would like to pay tribute to the ongoing liaison with the club from New Zealand Cricket, Canterbury Cricket and Canterbury Country Cricket. In the future the club hopes to put in place a tour in every alternate year, and to consolidate the work we have undertaken with the schools and colleges to improve coaching and the quality of 1st XI cricket.
In late August there will be the Club Dinner, and the club is hopeful to obtain the good services of Bryan Waddle as a guest speaker. Bryan is the voice of New Zealand cricket, and has brought us live commentary from all over the world, often in the most trying of circumstances. His broadcasts are a pleasure for all followers of the game. I have heard Bryan on other occasions and he is a quite outstanding speaker on a subject that is so dear to him and all the members of The Willows.
Regrettably, I must close on a slightly negative note. The subscription which is an indication of a commitment by members to the club, has been held for 17 years for playing and associate members at $30. This is a very small subscription and the activities of the club are heavily subsidised by fundraising carried out by the Committee and the generosity I mention above of the number of trusts and many individuals. Notwithstanding the small subscription charged, there is a small hardcore of members who require a great deal of work on the part of the Treasurer and the Committee in chasing them for the $30. I hope their response this year to the letter of request from well-known Willower Joe Bennett is met with greater success than in the past. All members have had the benefit of The Willows and the subscription is a very small sum to pay for that privilege.
Once again, an outstanding season, and I look forward to welcoming you all back in the 2012/2013 season.