ON THE HUNT FOR UMPS
Umpires play one of the biggest roles in the cricketing world, but the BHRDCA is still looking for more for the upcoming season.
BHRDCA Umpire Association president Phil Hermann told bhrdca.com.au that part of the reason it was struggling was due to the toll it’s taken on some of them.
“There’s been issues because some of our guys are older, it’s taking its toll being able to stand out there for a period of time.”
Hermann is back as the president of the association for his third year, and after plenty of years of experience, he still enjoys being a part of a game he loves.
“It’s something that keeps my interest in the game of cricket and in the end, you’ve got the best seat in the house.”
And whilst it’s had its funny and intense days over the years, it still has plenty of benefits, including having a drink after each game.
“The best part is then having a beer with the guys after the game, talking about anything, not necessarily cricket,” Hermann said.
He’s been with the BHRDCA for a while now and says he’s very fortunate that he’s gotten to umpire here, particularly up in the higher grades.
“I’m fortunate I’ve umpired pretty high grand finals in the time that I’ve been here, I’ve had some success that way, I also like to think I’m fairly well respected in that regard.”
However this year being president has been tough due to the lower numbers, believing they need to bring in umpires with past cricket experience.
“I’m sure they’ll find they’ll enjoy it just as much as cricket because everyone I know of has played the game at some stage. We need people who’ve got that experience to participate and have a go at it.”
He added that they don’t even need them to umpire every weekend.
“Even if they could give us one game a month or something like that, it would take some pressure off the guys that we do have. It also gives us an opportunity to field further down the grade.
They have bought in a new umpire advisor in Nick Davies, who has umpired in the 3rd and 2nd (Men and Women) XI of Victorian Premier Cricket.
Replacing the unwell Des Hearn, Hermann added that he’ll bring ideas as well as bringing knowledge to the younger umpires and keeping the older ones active.
“It’s a good learning curve for him and development wise in which he can impart some of that developing strategy into our less experienced umpires to help them along and keep the experienced ones on their toes with fresh thoughts.”
Hermann mentioned that people should join the BHRDCA because they can still be involved in cricket this way.
“They can still be a part of the cricket community in this area if they take on umpiring, they don’t give it away completely.”
There will be an umpires meeting on Wednesday night, with new advisor Nick Davies as well as Hermann being there.
2021/22 Shield Grade Fixtures
All Clubs,
The 2021/22 BHRDCA Fixtures for all four Shield Grades (Ray McIntosh Shield, Wilson Shield, Dorothy McIntosh Shield and Peter White Shield) have now been released on MyCricket.
We expect the remaining Senior Grade Fixtures (A Grade to J Grade), to be released over the next week or so, pending final affiliation, grading consideration & checking which is being worked through at present.
Good luck to all competing teams
BHRDCA CoM
Junior Eagles Paving The Way
The Vermont Cricket Club has had plenty of success recently, and that’s in part due to their successful junior program.
It’ll have high numbers yet again this year, with President Brendan Cleary telling bhrdca.com.au that Vermont legends Danny White, Brad Cullen and Bradd Taylor will also continue to coach the juniors. He’s particularly impressed with the work Taylor has put into his side.
“He coached the U12’s to a flag last year and he’s a fantastic man because he never gets upset, doesn’t get out of first gear, shows them how to bat, shows them how to bowl, teaches them cricket the right way and in the right spirit too.”
Part of the reason it’s been so successful is because of Vermont being a young families suburb and terrific job that ex-junior coordinator Steve Bissett did.
“As well as having the up and coming suburb, it’s also the fact that Steve Bissett was pretty relentless with another bloke about five years ago called Reece Wallace.”
Bissett has been replaced by Jason Retchford, with Retchford having been by Bissett’s side the last few years and bringing many benefits along.
“Retch’s enthusiasm is one of his key aspects and he’s worked closely with Steve for the last couple of years so he’ll just carry on the good work and hopefully keep it going.”
The last two years have had its problems due to COVID, however Cleary said that once COVID safe protocols and now vaccines have been administered, parents are signing up their children left, right and centre to play at Vermont.
“When everyone’s up to speed and it’s all working properly they’re more than happy for their kids to be playing sport, that’s what it’s all about, and we encourage it, it’s fantastic.”
“You get 150 kids cycling them through like we do, I think it’s a pretty awesome effort”.
They had a lot of players and sides last season, including three at the U16 level, with the ones making the semi finals in the RDCA U16-1 competition.
Some of those players played a bit at senior level in 2020/21, including in the thirds premiership.
“Our thirds last year the average age was about 18, and there was only one old player, Mick McMahon, he ended up captaining the side last year, he bumped it up because he’s about 45 or something so I think he bumped up the average a bit.
And whilst they retained most of them, Oliver Horlock has moved on to Premier Cricket at Ringwood, with Cleary happy to let these players go so they can pursue their dream of playing at a higher level.
“These boys are moving up through the ranks, and we encourage that and it’s great to see them play there so hopefully one day they’ll come back and put back into our club.”
In the seniors they’ve got a couple of recruits this year, with Trent Fitzgerald and Ben Gibson returning, as well as bringing in East Burwood duo Tharanga Jayawardhane and Weranga Bulathwala.
However, despite the signing of the spinner Jayawardhane, Cleary believes that Zane Gelsi will lead the way in the spinning department.
“He’s that keen on cricket he was devastated when he couldn’t keep training due to COVID. He loves the game; he’d play it every day of the week.”
They’ve also got a couple of new sponsors along, including Vermont Pizzeria, and Cleary has been thankful of their support the last few years.
“We’re very lucky with the sponsorship of the past players, we wouldn’t be able to operate with so many people without the input from these guys, they’re just magnificent.
GOOD NEW STORY – BHRDCA Junior growth and player retention
Whilst we are currently still in a holding pattern with cricket I thought it would be an ideal time to share a” good news story “with all on the progress of team nominations for the 2021/22 season.
Five years ago we introduced the Stage 1 (Super 7’s) and Stage 2 (Fast 9’s) concept to the BHRDCA, this superseded the Ankle biters (Under 10) grade of which we had 20 teams competing.
Since its inception the Super 7’s and Fast 9’s concept has grown from 28 teams in year 1 to 43 teams in year 2, 48 in year 3, 61 last season and currently we have a staggering 75 nominations for this season.
I must thank Trevor Hookey for asking the question 3 seasons ago as to “when do we know if this concept will be a success”, the answer was in 6 to 7 seasons time when we can measure the retention rate by the number of Under 16 teams nominated.
Last season we had 26 Under 14 teams nominated whereas this year we have had 33, indicating that the initial group of Super 7’ and Fast 9’ players are being retained at club level reflecting the forecast increase.
Affiliations last season as this stage were a total of 141 teams. Currently 2021/22 affiliations are stand at 168, an outstanding result.
Well done to all, keep up the good work and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me on 0450 336 992.
Tom Anderson
2021/22 BHRDCA Junior Rules and Rule Summary Pages
After approval by the BHRDCA CoM, the 2021/22 Junior Rules and associated Rule Summary pages have now been sent to all Club Delegates and also posted to this Website > Club Playing Resources > Juniors > Junior Competition Rules
When play commences, should any queries arise from the application of these Rules please contact the BHRDCA Junior Section Manager.
BHRDCA CoM
We can’t wait to be back, how about you?
HEATHERDALE RUNS FOR GUV
Dyson Baker
BHRDCA Media Manager
“To be honest, It’s still pretty raw”
Words from a President discussing the loss of one of his own.
During a lengthy discussion with Heatherdale Cricket Club President Andrew Grealy, it become increasingly evident just what Steve Creighton meant to not only the Heatherdale family but the wider community.
“The Guv” as he was affectionately known, a life member of the ‘Dales passed away in July of this year following a blood clot in his lungs.
“It hasn’t been easy that’s for sure in terms of having a chance to grieve, or even a chance to say a proper goodbye.”
The Heatherdale community was rocked by Guv’s passing, however given current restrictions found themselves unable to come together to celebrate his life. That was until close friends and club mates Kevin Oakey and Tony Johns engaged the club in “The Long Run.”
The Long Run is a month-long initiative run by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia which aims to build awareness and raise much needed funds for ongoing research into Prostrate Cancer.
Learn More: https://www.thelongrun.org.au/about-us
During September 2020, Steve completed the month-long fundraiser supported by members of the local community and raised $6000, in 2021 Heatherdale banded together and raised upwards of $26,000 placing them in the top 5 of all contributors to the campaign.
Grealy felt it was a way for the club to come together as one in a time where that is becoming increasingly difficult.
“Put simply, its coming together for Guv – he just viewed everyone the same”
“We didn’t even think twice, what can we do to find ways where we can stay connected to each other but also find a way to honour Guv’s memory.”
Some gave what they could, others went above and beyond raising more hundreds of dollars for the cause in honour of their great friend whilst pounding the pavement over the month.
Teammate and good friend Jack Ujma walked often with the Guv and made it his mission to honour Steve in the right manner.
“Not being able to come together and come to terms with it has been really difficult, and in a way I think I still haven’t properly acknowledged his passing”
“Steve cared a lot for the charity, for obvious reasons with his own battle, plus I think it helped a lot of guys from the club to come to terms with losing a great mate.”
Ujma raised more than $2000 for the cause and totalled stomped more than 250km in the month of September. Grealy believes the support for the initiative speaks volumes of the Dales culture
“It’s about living up to our values, being a family organisation and caring for one another – that’s what we do”
A mad Demons man, Creighton unfortunately missed the drought breaking Melbourne Premiership a couple of weeks ago, Grealy shared a thought about his good friend following the final siren of the AFL Grand Final.
“We were so glad that he got to see Liverpool win, and then I think very quickly the attention turned to the Dees getting up.”
“You can almost picture how the Guv would speak about it, he would be a very happy man.”
If omens are anything to go by, could the Guv pull the strings one more time and give Heatherdale yet another crack at the McIntosh Shield title?
Heatherdale will turn their attention to the forthcoming 2021/22 season with a homecoming of a couple of favourite sons as well as a pavilion re-development just about to begin its sure to be a big season at Purches Street.
You can still donate to the cause https://www.thelongrun.org.au/fundraisers/HeatherdaleRunsforGuv
Discover the SEDA College difference at our upcoming Information Session. Registration required.
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Season 21/22 update 14th September 2021
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