The Christchurch Metropolitan Cricket Association Annual General Meeting was held last night at the Sydenham Cricket Club, where the highlight of the evening was recognising five individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Christchurch Cricket.

Three of those were made Life Members while Ric Horsfall was recognised for his time on the Board and Lesley Murdoch for her contribution as President.

Ray Steele was recognised as a Life Member for his contribution to community cricket, and in particular for his outstanding service for the Sumner Cricket Club over the last 50 years including 26 as President.  He is now hard at work as groundsman at Barnett Park and St Leonards Square, playing Presidents Grade and for the New Zealand over 60’s.  Ray has also donated thousands of hours of his time, putting his building skills to work with renovating and building and pavilion at St Leonards Square.

Paul Case was recognised as a Life Member for services to community cricket, with particular reference to his contribution to Harewood and the Marist Harewood Cricket Clubs.  He started working on the grounds and joined the committee in his teens and has been President of the Club since 1992.  Paul has overseen huge growth in the juniors at Marist Harewood and embraced diversity and inclusion, supporting both competitive and social opportunities for the South Asian Community.

Dave Grocott, who was also recognised as a Life Member, started his cricket life from an early age, going on to have a stella Premier career with East Shirley.  He has been the director of cricket at Cashmere HS, Burnside HS and now Shirley Boys HS over the last 30 years and after he finished playing went straight into coaching.  Dave was involved in the Burnside HS and Shirley Boys 1^st XI before taking up the role as Premier coach at East Shirley.  Dave has also been involved as a member of the youth cricket advisory group since it started in 1996, the only inaugural member still involved.  He was also a member of the East Shirley committee during the 1990's and 2000's.

Ric Horsfall was recognised for his time on the CMCA Board, where he served as Chairman for three years.  Ric was an inaugural Board member in 2012 and only resigned his position this year to take up a role on the CCA Board.

Lesley Murdoch was acknowledged for her three years as President, where she has made a significant contribution to the organisation.

Lesley and Kirsty Bond were appointed as Independent Directors and Fergus Smith was reappointed to the Board following a members vote.

A name familiar to may local cricketers, Heather Steele, was appointed as the new President.

 

 

 

Article added: Thursday 14 October 2021