I have played at this great club for 34 seasons. In all that time, I have not been as concerned about the club as I am right now. Yes, we are competitive in our top three grades which is very pleasing and yes we have won a fifths, then thirds, then seconds premiership in the last three seasons as well as two T20 flags – again very pleasing. Yes, we have improved our financial standings over the past three seasons as well, but things could be much better in this regard. Concerns: With a significant “older” batch of players and no juniors coming through in a hurry, we are in danger of losing more players than we can pick up. This year saw the retirements of Peter Gleisner, Chris OBrien and Andrew Cordell who played in last year’s seconds’ premiership and many other older guys will follow suit in the next year or two. We have managed to field 5 teams for a few years now, but have dropped back to 4 this year. We recently had to give a walkover in our fourths and we are struggling to scrape up a side most weeks. This means that some guys don’t get a game. Unavailability is a real issue, which ultimately costs fourths players from getting a game of cricket. There are at least 6 unavailable most weeks, which pulls players up from all grades and makes it hard to field a team in the fourths. These are the blokes that miss out on a game when you pull out. We understand that players have other commitments at times particularly with weddings and the like, but many players are not prepared to commit to playing as many weeks as they can. This lack of commitment is evident in many other areas – • failure to pay membership by the deadline • failure to pay for merchandise • failure to attend social functions, even when players say they are coming • failure to help wash dishes after meals • failure to put your own rubbish in the bin • failure to help with juniors • failure to get a full committee • failure from some committee members to do work around the club These failures will ultimately result in our club being a failure unless we can improve in these areas…. and others. I for one don’t want this to happen to the club that I have spent every Saturday at during the last 34 years. I have clearly said to the committee (and some others) that this will be my last year as president and, potentially, as a player. Michael Pell has already informed you that he will not be coaching. Other players are likely to retire and some other committee people are likely to finish up. We are already a vice president, junior co-ordinator and one other committee person down this year. I have even roped my dad in as an extra committee person this year! When a couple more leave, we are in trouble ……unless……. unless some of you guys are prepared to learn how to run the club…..unless a few of you are committed to make the club run smoothly…unless you are prepared to get off your backside and do something! You might think these are harsh words, but I have spent a large chunk of my life at this club as a player and administrator and I don’t want to see it fall over. This is the club that has provided me with many great memories and life-long friends and I would love to be able to come back in 20 years to a reunion and talk crap with those guys about the good old days. I don’t want to see this club go under but I have given all I can…. and then some. Many others have done the same. Our AGM is in April each year and I would like to have a succession plan in place for myself and, potentially, others well in advance to enable a smooth transition to a new leadership group both on and off the field. I would love you guys to have a fulfilling playing career at this great club like I have but it may only be possible if some of you are prepared to keep it going. The next committee will have a challenging job trying to find a replacement for Pelly as he continues to do a great job, not to mention all the other things he works on. At present, too many people take the work that too few complete for granted. Please don’t walk away after reading my comments without even contemplating the work that needs to be done. Ideally, I would love to have someone lined up to be the next president for next season as soon as possible so they can see what needs to be done whilst I am on board this season. I would also like to have a few other committed helpers to assist that person and take over any other potential vacancies. The work required is hard enough to do for a few experienced people, so we will need a committed team when that experience disappears. I would also like guys to put their hands up to help with juniors on Friday nights – work the bar, drive Levi Wolfenden, Gabriel Levkowicz and Jamil Arabi to away games, score, etc. Please make the effort to pay for your membership and merchandise before our next selection night or you may not be selected. If you have any dramas with finances, please talk to Alan Kerr, otherwise, we will mark you down as not paying. In closing, Pelly asks you to bring your backpack to games. I’d also like you to bring it to the club…your club…..your club that still needs to be here for us all in 20 years’ time. Don’t let it disappear.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 10:32:15 +0000
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