Hi everyone
Well another season is in the books, and what a season it has been.
We fielded eight senior teams this year, including our Womens and Veterans teams and Grades 1 to 6. We won five premierships for the club across three grades, including a rare treble for Second grade, breaking Queanbeyan's 11 year streak in Third Grade and our first premiership in Fourth grade since 2007/08. We had teams in semi finals from First to Fourth grade, with Fifth grade missing out by the narrowest of margins, We also had everything from the confirmation of a new Life Member, record breaking partnerships in First Grade, Nationals representatives (in mens, womens and Vets including age groups up to the over 70s!).
We welcomed new players to the club and welcomed back some familiar faces. We were also one of the few clubs to provide opportunities to many of our younger players through our Sixth grade team. Our club coaches, Rob Trickett (Club) and Fatema Jahara (Womens) had a positive impact on players across the club. We also took the opportunity of a longer Christmas break to returf areas of the Stirling and Mawson pitch (special thanks to Nick and Robbie!) with a view to improving our facilities for next season. And in promising signs for the future, our junior club fielded 24 teams (including four premierships) and had record numbers in the Blast program with over 170 participants.
It wasn't all smooth sailing this year, with disruption particularly for our Women's and Fifth grade teams who had to play their home games far and wide courtesy of the Phillip oval redevelopment works. The Sixth grade competition was initially cancelled (before lobbying from our club and two others), before being reinstated on synthetic wickets due to the shortage and condition of turf pitches across Canberra. We also had the (happy) challenge of having more players registered with the club than available spots each weekend and many tough conversations around the selection table. Thank you for the patience of those who would have loved to have played more turf cricket and closer to home. We continue to lobby for more an increase in playing venues and improved facilities and will have more to say on this ahead of next season.
Our captains, selectors, curators and volunteers did an outstanding job this season to ensure teams were balanced, had the right equipment and that games got underway each week and scores were recorded, not to mention the many parents ferrying our players from junior to senior games each weekend. These are not easy roles to take on, and they should all be applauded for their efforts.
We are also fortunate to have an incredible group of sponsors for the club, whose financial backing is invaluable in ensuring the club can continue to operate. A list of sponsors is attached, so please support them as they support us, and be sure to tell them you appreciate their contribution.
A massive thank to our amazing committee members (both junior and senior), who meet behind the scenes all year round to quietly plan out the season and the many logistics that go with running a cricket club. We are fortunate to have such strong committees and great people, and will be looking to add a few more people during the off-season in some important supporting roles for the club. Many hands make light work, so if you are able to help (in any way), please let me know and i'll be happy to discuss.
There are some important events to note that are coming up:
The Cricket ACT senior awards night is on Thursday 4 April. The club has a number of players in the running for awards, and with five premierships to celebrate, it would be great to have a big Creek contingent at the night. If you are interested in attending, please let me know so we can have you added to the Creek tables.
The WCMCC Presentation night is on Friday 12 April at the Weston Creek Labor Club. It will be an awesome night, hosted by the Myburgh brothers. You must book your tickets through the booking link below, so please get your tickets quickly before they run out. https://events.humanitix.com/wcmcc-2023-24-presentation-night
The WCMCC Annual General Meeting will be held in July in line with our Constitution. The date for this will be confirmed in April and communicated to all players and on our social media and website.
There is a lot involved in a club'
s success, but the most important ingredient is its people. Creek has a proud history spanning more than fifty years, and our people have been the cornerstone of our longevity. Thanks to everyone who has played or supported this season and done so in such a positive manner. It is a privilege to be President of this great club.
If you have any ideas, questions, concerns or feedback on the season, please let me know. We will issue a players survey next month and it would be great to get feedback from across the club. In the meantime I hope to see you at the upcoming Presentation nights or the AGM. Stay safe over the off season, enjoy the winter break and always remember that it is Good To Be Green!
Go Creek!!!
Thanks
Luke Hickey
Club President
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