This is my last Report after committing to five years as President and (initially) Chair. I write on the 30th anniversary of the Club’s Founding in May 1994, and reflect on how the Club has built on its traditions, and to recognise those stalwarts who have served it so well in these challenging recent years.
The Oval at Loburn
Development over two years has reset the cricket experience, with a new block, outfield, picket fencing, bunding and extension of The Pavilion with its rich historical treasures. Ben Dormer, in his drive and generosity, and Alan Gilmour with his world class skills as Head of Grounds, (former elite New Zealand athlete) have been instrumental in this development, and deserve particular recognition.
Alan produced a true, hard wicket of pace, and had the outfield in pristine condition by September 2023. With its open sunny aspect and the lie of the land at Loburn, cricket was played while others were indoors.
Peter Fulton brought his Canterbury squad with some of the St Bede’s College 1st XI for a hit-out before the first scheduled match on 1st October 2023, against Otago Boys’ High School. Three games were completed before a wet spring, and four cancellations.
The evidence of a bumper season for the bat reflects in more centuries than ever, 14 (10 in the 2002/03 season), three centuries in the match against I Zingari which as a stat reaches back to the 1998 match with Millbrook Cricket Club, and the average innings of 246, the best ever. The bowlers toiled, with only three 5 or 6 wicket bags.
“Firsts” included a double century by 15-year-old Harry O’Loughlin (CBHS), and the first by a schoolgirl, Abby Fookes of Wakatipu High School. Harry took apart a strong Willows attack, in an unbeaten eighth wicket stand of 203. 630 runs were scored off 100 overs, on a pitch used for the fifth time. There were centuries by Willowers Brent Fleming, Greg Stretch, Nick Gibb, Chris Mugford, Matthew Hocquard, Paul Knight and North Otago’s Liam Dineen, and seven visitor centurions, Abby Fookes, Harry O’Loughlin, Duncan Anderson (UCBC), Matthew Brine (Hawkswood Wanderers), Connor Rees (Wellington Wanderers Under 17) and I-Zingari’s Phillip Booth and Ben van der Merwe. Kelvin Scott hit a purple patch of 369 runs at an average of 33.55, the 13th player to score 1,000 runs for the Club.
Ageless Andrew Nuttall keeps on keeping on, taking his 250th wicket and a feature of New Zealand Masters’ Cricket. I can see him mesmerising batters for decades ahead. The best bowling figures came from former St Andrew’s cricketer, Connor Higgs with 6 for 49, Chris Mulcock 6 for 52 for Hawkswood Wanderers and Niall McLeod for Nelson College, 5 for 35.
In short, The Willows played 24 matches, winning 17 with losses to Christ’s College, Christchurch Boys’ High School, Timaru Boys’ High School, Nelson College, St Thomas of Canterbury College, Hutt International Boys School and I Zingari. There were two Youth XI games against Wellington Wanderers Under 17 (lost) and Cobham Youth Under-17 XI at Whangarei (won).
The Shadbolt Trophy for the best performance by a junior Willower went to Harry O’Loughlin and the Winsome Dormer Cup for special achievement by a schoolgirl player went to Abby Fookes. The ’49ers Cup for the most meritorious performance by a Secondary School XI went to Christ’s College.
In December, the year finished on a high with Paddianne Neely and three of her family opening the fine Don Neely Library in the extended Pavilion, a schoolgirls game between Wellington Wanderers and a Willows XI on 5th December, and the President’s XI match bolstered by a number who travelled to add so much to the occasion. Joey Yovich came from Whangarei to captain the XI and Bradley Scott from Dunedin. In all that day there were 385 first-class and 415 List A caps – which speaks to the quality of the teams, and from another setting, former All Black, Andy Ellis, the first Willower to spend a season in the UK.
The Neely family has given cricket taonga of photos, prints, even an important part of Sunil Gavaskar’s kit. Our gratitude to and bond with the family is enduring and very strong. This is the right place to mention Steve Wakefield, President of Old Boys Collegians Cricket Club (OBCCC) for giving a defibrillator and electronic scoreboard. Congratulations to OBCCC on being made Club of the Year at the NZC 2024 Awards ceremony.
What it takes
I acknowledge with gratitude Paul Rutledge (Ruts) who took over from me as Chair mid-term. He has been at the core of the redevelopment, and in the direction of travel by the Club, working with schools, other clubs, Canterbury and Metro Cricket, and New Zealand Cricket to enhance the game at all levels. He is a man of great integrity, devoted to the Club and the coaching and support of young people.
The organisation behind each game should be understood. Living at a distance I have had regrettably little physical part, but a flood of communications each week. Ruts is at the helm of all things, communication with the visiting teams, the Match Managers and Match Day hosts, caterers, the constant weather review to make the best game decisions, tweaking at the ground according to the conditions.
The standard and turnout of all who come to The Willows to play is a great credit to their schools and Clubs. While there is always reference in speeches on match day to the honour felt by those coming to The Willows, in truth The Willows is honoured to have such committed and enthusiastic teams to play against, their schools and their communities. Anyone visiting Loburn would feel that New Zealand is in good heart with the quality of those young people who come to play and those who support them. These are fine young men and women, from fine schools and clubs.
I want to set aside the misapprehension I hear often that The Willows is exclusive and elitist. Yes, it is traditional, but it is open to all and reaches well beyond the gates for its growing charitable works with young people. There are no barriers at The Willows, rather a welcome to all who love the game.
The chaplain
The Reverend Mike Hawke took over from the late, much loved Father Brian Cummings. Mike is a Willower, a great supporter and a delight to have at the ground. He describes his role as “faith and sausages”, turning his hand to both as needs may be and his message is delivered in a robust, good, humoured way, with much wisdom. When times are hard, he offers much comfort.
After the President’s XI game the dinner discussion at Winsome’s cottage with Mike, Sir Anand Satyanand, our esteemed Willows Cricketer, Joey Yovich, Ben and Winsome was highly illuminating, to reflect on how much cricket, and sport in general means to young people, often so disadvantaged in their home and educational settings. Joey, with Andrew Golightly and others, is deeply involved in meeting this challenge in Northland, and The Willows has a special link. Our association with Tamai Sports and the Epic Sports Project, run by White Fern Bernadine Bezuidenhout, is entirely in keeping with the object of the Club to provide the opportunity for young cricketers to play at a skilled level, to find and coach young cricketers. There are so many who do not have the wherewithal or support to play cricket, nor other sports, and Tamai and Epic Sports are instrumental in responding to this. We must also acknowledge the coaching work done by Dan Vann at Evolution Sports, which complements our community programmes, in a very positive way. I mention the Queen Street Cricket Club, committed in the same way. All these links are deepening. The Willows has much to offer at the ground, in its human resources, and commitment. I make particular mention of The Wanderers Cricket Club, in Wellington and their excellent team committed to youth cricket, including Chair Willie Marshall and his brothers Hamish and James. For me, getting to know these people and becoming aware of our mutual interest has been reward in itself. The link with I Zingari, Mark Hodge, Craig Hambleton, and Bill Douglass is long and close and I hope we can extend that to underage games in Australia and Canterbury.
Women’s cricket
A condition of my becoming President was that women’s cricket be introduced to The Willows, and I had not fully understood the extent to which it would contribute to the overall health of the women’s game and the wellbeing of the Club. The growth of the women’s game has been boosted by Kirsty Bond’s stewardship, as she works with schools throughout the South Island and elsewhere. The Willows has had a real part in the introduction of a league for schoolgirl cricketers in Christchurch, and it is heartening to learn of the recent trip to Dubai of a South Island XI, managed by Kirsty and Amanda Hardy from St Margaret’s College, for a superbly run Under 15 tournament. I have mentioned Abby Fookes’ wonderful century and hope that the status of women’s cricket is reflected in weekend cricket at The Willows if the calendar and space allows, so parents, family and school supporters can attend.
Kindred
This Willows Kindred team is highly successful, and I have backed it strongly, as it allows strong competition and wonderful camaraderie with many Clubs of shared values. It is a very important part of the Club’s makeup, keeping Willowers in the game, as several have told me.
Touring/Exchanges
The tradition of touring the sub-continent has been in abeyance because of Covid, and transition with Mike’s passing. He insisted it should continue and so it will. I strongly support two underage Willows selections, school girls and school boys, travelling to Australia pre- season, as some schools already do, to play a week of competitive cricket under the stewardship of experienced coaches. These are early days, but it is viable and, in my view, would expose young cricketers to the rigours of playing in Australia. A link with the Sydney Cricket Ground Club is established, Robbie Deans a member. As a Club we are increasingly offered exchanges, and the Board will work out with whom we liaise, perhaps to have young cricketers from overseas live and play in Canterbury. We depend entirely on voluntary support, and many elements of hosting are needed. Our experience with two young cricketers from the BACA Academies in the UK has taught us much.
Financial
The core cost of maintaining the ground lies in the Match Day sponsorship, and our erstwhile and loyal sponsors. Please note and support all our sponsors. It has always been debatable how fair the subscriptions are. Like others, non- playing, I will pay my subscription as a Member because I wholeheartedly support the Club in its endeavours and will visit whenever I am able to do so. For others that may be a burden, and the incoming Board will once need to address subscriptions. For a playing member, it is, in my view, a privilege and the subscription modest.
Donations are largely ad hoc but Brent Fleming and the Ellison family have been extremely generous each year and others such as Chris and Leonie Morkane with the Eliza White Trust support the children’s Christmas Party on a regular basis. I hope potential sponsors recognise the opportunity through the active website now in place, created by Richard Cowles, a Founding Member, to whom the Club is grateful for his very generous contribution.
See thewillows.nz
Club Captain
Ed Nuttall’s appointment as Club Captain is a milestone, further cementing the immense legacy of his family including Andrew and Jo, at The Willows. His status as a first-class cricketer will appeal to younger members of the Club and visiting cricketers. I think it is a superb appointment. Ed was a Willows tourist to Sri Lanka in 2009.
Recognition of others
I have mentioned some critical cogs of The Willows’ wheel above. The Board members are all dedicated, and have guided the Club through some challenging years. There are fresh faces at the Board table and Loburn, and some stepping back including Rex Hayward, our talented photographer.
Our Treasurer, Alistair Sheard has an onerous duty as we are a charitable body which requires exact accounting and I thank him for all his work.
There have been many hard-working foot soldiers over my time, including Darcy Palmer, John Gardner, Jim Stringleman and Di Woodhouse, whose presence in preparing for games and at the ground has meant so much.
Others I mention, in part at a personal level. On most occasions I have been at the ground, one or more of Sir Richard, John Wright, Cran Bull, Barry Hadlee or Dave Kelly have been present, bringing their commitment and their presence which means a great deal to young cricketers, their families and school supporters.
Winsome has been through change and loss, but her strong support for the Club, her lease of the ground and her personality and hospitality at her enchanting cottage at Loburn, make up a good part of what is so special about The Willows. It is a club, and people who come to Loburn are warmly welcomed just as Mike did over so many years.
Congratulations
The Willows congratulates Scott Weenink in his role as CEO (NZC). There are long held personal connections with him. I also congratulate Cran Bull whose service to cricket is remarkable, and continues as new Chair of Canterbury Cricket.
In closing
I have often leant on the knowledge of John Mitchell, the first of only three Presidents of The Willows over 30 years, Sir John Hansen my immediate predecessor, and John McRae, my old STAC colleague. In different ways they are at the core of the Club.
My plea is that many more Members/friends come to the ground to enjoy the day but also support the cricketers, and the Club. I have seen some of the best cricket in my time this past season, in perfect conditions. I have enjoyed the very best of company and met many new friends. More people should come simply to enjoy the Oval, greet and meet, and schools should follow the lead of those who make the annual fixtures a pilgrimage and reunion for their former XIs and their schools. These should be anticipated occasions, with lunch under the trees, excellent cricket, and become an annual diary entry.
I believe The Willows has a very important role to play in Canterbury and New Zealand cricket at all levels. In what has been sometimes a testing five years I have been struck by the dedication of those involved, not just to maintain the spirit of the Club, but to take it forward, emphasising coaching as Mike wished, and Ruts has taken forward. I will continue to support the Club in whatever way I can and wish you all well, with especial gratitude to those who have educated and worked with me. I welcome the promise of a new President, new ideas and incentives but hold on to traditional standards as firmly as ever.
Mā te wā.