Just as Nick Davidson’s sure hands snared four catches in his first match at The Willows in 1995 we have had the benefit of those same safe hands as our Club President for the past five seasons. Nick has steered us through some challenging times and ensured a smooth transition after the void left by the passing of our Founder MED. It is timely to reflect on the achievements and the wisdom he has brought to the role since 2019.
Nick’s stellar career in law is widely known. He is a King’s Counsel, and had retired in December 2018 from the High Court bench and brought this skillset and those high standards to, and for the benefit of The Willows Club and Board.
After family and law, sport played a huge role in his life. Cricket has long been his summer sport of choice. Since days as an opening bowler for St Andrew’s College 1st XI, Nick has enjoyed competitive play with a host of clubs both here and overseas. Time spent with the English club Tillside CC, located as far north as one can get before the Scottish border, resulted in a meeting with Sir Hugh Blackett of Matfen Hall.
Sir Hugh, mindful that his local cricket club was in serious jeopardy of folding, was keen to recruit a Kiwi player or two to boost the playing strength. Nick facilitated a link to Michael Dormer and so our Matfen partnership was born.
Many qualities of Nick, the man, have ensured the period of his presidency have been memorable. First his loyalty. Specifically his loyalty to Mike. Nick ensured a smooth transition after the death of MED. Totally dedicated to promises made to Mike at the end of his life to drive The Willows forward. He is also very professional to work with. Nick treats the position seriously and has kept abreast of all Club issues even whilst domiciled north of Auckland city. Nick admires punctuality, courtesy and hard work from within the Board, as well as being a stickler for good grammar and accuracy of data in all formal writing.
His commitment to youth has been undeniable and long-standing. Nick is a Trustee of 180 Degrees Trust which works with at risk youth, 13- 18 year olds, in providing mentoring and outdoor experiences in the hope to turn their lives around. He has proactively supported The Willows to expand with youth cricket trips and coaching programmes, such as the Tamai Sports for “red zone” primary age youngsters to access sport. His time has seen improved gender representation and diversity with more females on the Board and more female members and matches. This past season we hosted a record six girl’s cricket XIs – from Waimea to Wakatipu – plus a composite female match v Wellington schoolgirls. In 2023 Nick was instrumental, with the Board, in getting two school leavers (Maggie Martin and Nick Gibb) across to Arundel Castle CC and in reinstating Matfen Scholarships.
Other initiatives under Nick’s leadership include: the Club Day on the final playing Sunday of the season, Golf Days at Christchurch Golf Club and through his background on NZC, NZRFU, ICC, SANZAR he has brought some important new contacts into the Club – people like Rebecca Rolls, Steve Hinds and Michael Heron KC.
It has been a huge pleasure to have Nick Davidson at the helm. In his safe hands we have prospered. We acknowledge the time and effort he has devoted to fulfil Mike’s dream and to ensure that our little field of dreams at Loburn remains a jewel for all cricket lovers.