BENTLEIGH CRICKET CLUB Formed 25th August 1909 Season 2014/2015 106th Annual Report VJCA / VTCA Senior Division Premiers 1968/1969 1975/1976 1976/1977 1984/1985 1992/1993 1999/2000 Incorporated 1985 in Victoria – Registration No. A0005697R www.bentleighcc.com.au Life Members 1929 - 30 J.J Courtney 1955 - 56 Charles Garnder 1988 - 89 John Diamond 1930 - 31 Herb H. Simmonds 1955 - 56 James Morgan 1989 - 90 Cedric Vanderwert 1931 - 32 Colin H. Middleton 1955 - 56 Edward Welch 1990 - 91 Russell Keyt 1932 - 33 Alf England 1955 - 56 Geoff Webb 1990 - 91 John Rogers 1933 - 34 Geo W. Sutherland 1966 - 67 Peter Robertson 1991 - 92 Bruce Sherwood 1934 - 35 Roy E. Krygger 1967 - 68 Les Warren 1992 - 93 Jeremy Keyt 1935 - 36 Arthur Dinn 1968 - 69 John Glass 1993 - 94 Michael Rogers 1936 - 37 Sid Allen 1968 - 69 Frank Gaunt 1998 - 99 Roger Kellar 1937 - 38 Allan McEwan 1970 - 71 Sam Dexter 2000 - 01 Anthony Rogers 1938 - 39 Col O'Brien 1973 - 74 Ron Laird 2002 - 03 Jon Raju 1939 - 40 Henry McEwan 1973 - 74 Ron McLeod 2003 - 04 Adrian McInnes 1940 - 41 Les McCulloch 1974 - 75 Brian Allison 2006 - 07 Craig Robinson 1941 - 42 Herb H Simmonds 1976 - 77 Ken Thom 2007 - 08 Paul Keelan (Glew) 1942 - 43 Jack Moss 1976 - 77 Tim Dolan 2008 - 09 Matthew Thorp 1943 - 44 Richard Dunard 1977 - 78 Eddie Gaskin 2010 - 11 Brad Coppens 1944 - 45 E. Clements 1978 - 79 Ken Osborne 2010 - 11 Paul Ciccarella 1945 - 46 Arthur Addison 1978 - 79 William Grant 2011 - 12 James Raju 1946 - 47 Reg Rowe 1981 - 82 Bernie McDonald 2013 - 14 Stephen McGinness 1947 - 48 Jack Davies 1982 - 83 Brian Lemerle 1948 - 49 W.L. (Joe) Foley 1983 - 84 John Scriven 1950 - 51 Jack Riley 1984 - 85 Gary McInnes 1951 - 52 Joe E. Lynam 1985 - 86 Peter Kemp 1952 - 53 Norm Armstrong 1985 - 86 Rick Connell 1953 - 54 Roy Grant 1986 - 87 John Paine 1954 - 55 Owen Hollowood 1987 - 88 Steve Morgan Executive Committee President Ronald Laird Vice President Russell Keyt Secretary Matthew Thorp Treasurer Paul Ciccarella Junior Coordinator Stephen McGinness Social Secretary Willie Lim General Committee Paul Keelan (Glew) Robert Ciccarella Chris Williams Daniel Clarke David Mullane Christine Lazarou Vernessa Johnstone Michael Foot Chris Meister Steve Grogan 2014/15 President’s Report The 2014/5 season had some high moments but, all things considered, must be rated a disappointing one. The Club functioned well administratively and will likely record another financial profit despite significant expenditure. The junior section continued its progress with record Milo numbers and the fielding of an under 16 team for the first time in many years. The work done over the past few years has borne fruit with a modified rules under 12 team, two under 12 teams and the under 14’s. This is a fantastic outcome for Steve McGuiness, Mick Foot, Dave Mullane, Al Glenton, Chris Miester and Matt Thorp in particular but also for the many other players and mums and dads who have worked so hard to establish and support the teams in so many ways. However, the real success is due to the Club members, some of whom are mentioned above, who had the foresight to recognise that the future of the Club was tied in with the re-establishment of a vibrant junior section. A lot of the hard work has now been done but we all know how quickly it can become undone if we take our collective foot off the pedal The feeding ground for our juniors is the Milo program administered by Matt Thorp but with many helpers. Friday nights at Arthur Street have become very much a social event with parents of the Milo kids enjoying an end of week wine or two watching the kids learn our great game. It will be even bigger this coming season with 20/20 Milo Big Blast also happening on Friday nights at Arthur Street. It is a fabulous way to foster junior cricket and Cricket Victoria is to be congratulated for developing and funding this initiative. The committee, executive, coaches, managers and many other contributors are to be congratulated for their efforts. In particular the contribution of Chris Williams as coach, Milo coordinator, first eleven stalwart and all round good clubman needs to be recognised. He has taken up a full time teaching position in the UK and is lost to us hopefully only temporarily as we would welcome him back any time. Winnie Lim did a great job as Social Secretary and many a fun night was had at Bentleigh during the year. Our afternoon teas are the envy of all and opposition players were seen to photograph the spread to send to their own clubs! The major disappointment was the lack of success of the First eleven. We were let down badly by one of our professionals who came well recommended but whose personal problems got in the way of his cricket. His personal contribution was minimal and in fact his shenanigans sapped the morale of the rest of the team and took up an inordinate amount of administrative time. On one view the team did well under difficult circumstances. A bright spot for us was the development of the younger brigade. We have a group of ten or so mid to late teens who show tremendous promise with more in the pipeline from the junior section. Many of the youngsters played in the seconds and thirds whilst also being active in assisting with the Milo and juniors. This only emphasises the importance of producing our own home -grown cricketers - a major emphasis of the Club now and will be in the future. The seconds and fourths had their moments of glory but narrowly missed the finals. The thirds won through to the finals but did not go all the way. One thing that has become obvious to me in the last couple of years is the need for the senior section to become closer to the junior section and the many mums and dads who support their children in their cricket development. There are always at least half a dozen kids watching the seniors at Arthur Street on Saturdays and Sundays. They have a sense of belonging to Bentleigh, feel at home there and no doubt aspire to be senior Bentleigh cricketers. In my contact with the mums and dads it is clear that they too have a sense of belonging. This needs to be cultivated. When you take the numbers into account we have many more junior members than senior members. The parents of the juniors are in my view an untapped resource. If we can find a way to involve the parents more in the broader club it can only be to our advantage. Their contacts could prove invaluable and their support for fundraising efforts could only be positive. I fully understand the bond between team- mates and the need to be together but if an extra effort can be made to welcome the parents and involve them it can only make the Club stronger. I hope to recommend to the committee and the Social Secretary that they consider appropriate functions for parents to let them know how we operate and to reinforce their status as Bentleigh people. Sponsorship is the lifeblood of any successful club and I would like to take the time to thank all of our wonderful sponsors. Bentleigh RSL, R&N Building Services, Telstra Shop, 7Apples, Bayside Dog School, Brighton Toyota, EB Cellars Axetion Tree Services, Cushion, Dimattina Coffee, Southern Tiles, JBS Hospitality, Grilld, Paint Spot, Grosvenor Hotel, John Barnes Locksmith and Woodards. Thank-you to these businesses and importantly to the wonderful people connected to them for their ongoing support of our great club. I would also like to acknowledge Linda Smith and Belinda Griffiths from the Glen Eira Council. We have forged a strong relationship with our council representatives over the last several years and I would like to say publicly thank both them and their team. Bentleigh Cricket Club is proud of the first class facilities we enjoy and we are extremely appreciative of all the support they proved. There will be some changes at executive level next season. The good news is that the present incumbents will still be involved at the Club in a significant way and, in many ways more important, the new people come from within our ranks, are proven contributors and have volunteered for the roles. I know they will succeed. Likewise there will be a new coach of the Club and new captain and vice-captain. Again these positions go to people who are demonstrably Bentleigh people. This is further evidence, if needed, of our emphasis on developing home grown talent. Again I have no doubt that they will succeed and could even be the catalyst for a new glory era of the Club. Well done to all who have contributed to the Bentleigh cause and I look forward to the coming season with great anticipation. Ronald Laird President Bentleigh Cricket Club. Chairman of Selectors Russell Keyt Club Coach Chris Williams 1st XI Captain Greg Todd 2nd XI Captain Paul Ciccarella 3rd XI Captain Aron van Staden 4th XI Captain David McNamara Trophy Winners 2014/15 W.L. Foley Trophy Chris Williams Club Champion Life Membership - - Coseley Trophy Russell Keyt Best Clubman Adrian McInness Trophy Sam Mouzakis Best U/18 player Roy Krygger Trophy Tully Foot Jnr Club Champion R.G. Laird Trophy Chris Williams Best 1st XI player Ron McLeod Trophy Robert Mott Best 2nd XI player John Rogers Trophy A.Patel Best 3rd XI player Roger Kellar Trophy David McNamara Best 4th XI player Coseley Trophy Honours The Best Clubman Award is known as the Coseley Trophy and is awarded at the end of each season.