Chairman's Report

With the disappointment of the 2020/2021 season being called off completely due to Covid-19, it was unchartered territory for the entire club (young and old) as we all found ourselves trapped indoors rather than sharing the field with our fellow club members and friends. Many clubs including our own, were very excited but equally concerned when WPCA announced that the 2021/2022 season would go ahead. Concerned because we were unsure of who and how many players would return to cricket.  Covid-19 which inevitably led to time away from the game, unfortunately showed many players that they had other things to do on a Saturday.  Regardless, the season went ahead and once again the committee (Ricky Bowers, Bernard McCarthy, Bernie Maxwell and Shane Dixon) continued their thankless efforts to ensure that this club runs efficiently and effectively.

This past season, the committee had been fortunate enough to welcome Bernie Maxwell to the team and he delivered on his promise.  Bernie organised and ran our very first golf day which was a tremendous success along with a few other successful fundraising efforts.  Bernie, to you and your fundraising committee we thank you – and do not ever underestimate what you guys have achieved for this club financially.

The rest of the committee continued to prove why they get re-elected year on year.  Consistent, fair and in the best interest of this club is their motto.  Thank you, boys, you make my job a lot easier! 

On the field we might not have achieved all our goals set out at the start of the season.  The 1^st team made it to the T20 final at Newlands, unfortunately we lost to Somerset West.  The 1^st team also failed to secure promotion by ending 3^rd in their respective league.  Proudly, the 2^nd team won their league and achieved promotion.  We are extremely proud of Akbar Rinquest and his team for their achievement. 

The 3^rd and 4^th side had a steady season and managed to end mid table respectively.  I would however like to congratulate Moegsien Parker and his team for ending 4^th in the 3B – securing promotion to the 3A.  We will now have two teams in the 3A next season – that should be very interesting.

To Mark Koevert – Mark has done a fantastic job in keeping our mini cricket going through this difficult period.  Mark I have three kids – some weekends I almost have none cause I want to hang them up by their necks – how you manage 3 to 4 teams of extremely young kids – only you would know.  Well done though and keep it up.

To Billy, Fraser, Sean, Ricky and Gavin for your continued time and effort spent with the juniors.  I know we have a lot of work to do to ensure our junior section recovers from the pandemic – but without you it would have been null and void by now.  So, thank you – we will ensure that the junior section and the development thereof is a main priority for the incoming committee next season.

I would also like to thank our sponsors this year.  We’ve been very fortunate to secure sponsorship from two companies.  Prescient Fund Services sponsored our first teams T20 playing kit which as you can imagine is a huge cost.  Then I would like to thank Vaughan Rademeyer who put us in touch with his employers who have co-sponsored the T20 final and will also be our first team sponsor for next year.  So, thank you and welcome to the Schmidhauser Group

Then lastly to all our members, your families and spouses – without you we don’t have a club.  Without your families, wives and girlfriends support – what do have except grass and cricket balls?  Thank you for being a part of this journey with us and we hope that you continue riding this wave with us. Despite this season’s disappointments, yes, we did not win the T20 Final and yes, our first team did not get promoted this year – but success will come our way. We remain committed to the cause.

The committee had decided a few years back that we were done playing 1^st Division D and 1^st Division C cricket.  We’ve been floating around these two leagues for a number of years, and it was time to move onto bigger and greater things.  We therefore committed to doing whatever it takes to reach our 5-year plan.   Within 5 years we had the ambition of achieving a minimum of three promotions.  And yes, although this is a BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOAL – it is our goal.  We believed and still believe we have the right coach in Marcus Oliphant to guide & mentor players, we believed and still believe that we have appointed the right first time, new captain of the 1^st team to take us forward with years to come, we believed and still believe that we have the right blend of youth and experience to achieve these goals.  But it is not going to come easily – week in and week out there are eleven other players, our opposition – that wants exactly what we want.  At the end of the day, it comes down to who wants it more.  It comes down to what you as a team have put in – that will determine what you get out.  The fittest guy in your team cannot run extra laps for you.  Your opening bowler cannot bowl an extra six overs at practice for you (especially not Kevin).  Your opening batsman cannot score runs for anybody else other than himself and the team. 

Therefore, I would like to challenge and appeal to each player sitting here tonight – those of you returning to WCC in July for pre-season training – help us achieve OUR goals – YOUR goals.  Stay committed, be positive, buy into the vision of this club.  Flow with the grain and not against it. We are much better than what we produced this season – and when you hear some of the achievements later, you will understand that being better, means being close to perfect.  Cause that is what it is going to take to achieve our goals.  I certainly look forward to the season ahead.  

Thank you.