Humble beginnings in Owens Ave
Glen Waverley Park Cricket Club was officially formed on the 2nd August 1971. It was during an annual street Christmas Party for the neighbours of Owens Avenue, Glen Waverley that the suggestion of forming there own club arose. An advertisement was placed in a local paper looking for further players. Soon thereafter, a public meeting was held at Barry Cook’s house involving Barry Cook, Bill Davidson, John Fletcher, Bill Graham, Reg Harrison, John Hinkins, John Hocking, Ray Hyland, Malcolm Johns, Kevin Reed, and Des Wastell. It was discussed at the meeting: availability of a ground; which competition to enter; finances; and equipment. The members also considered an offer from another club to join them, but this was rejected. The following committee was elected: John Hinkins - President, Reg Harrison - Secretary and Barry Cook - Treasurer. Bill Davidson and Ray Hyland were elected as general committee. A total of 16 players took the field for the club in 1971/72. The team, captained by John Hinkins, with Kevin Reed as his vice captain, was entered in “D” Grade in the Oakleigh District Cricket Association (O.D.C.A.). Originally it was thought that gaining a home ground would be difficult, but the councils in the area offered three different grounds. On the basis of facilities, the committee went with Wellington Reserve, Mulgrave. On the 9th October 1971 the club played its first game against Clayton Footballers; a one-day game due to a wash out the week before. The team won the game by 22 runs. Due to the high caliber of players, the team won 6 games on first innings and 4 games outright for the season. They finished on top of the ladder, going on to win the semi-final, before losing the Grand Final.
Remainder of the 1970's
G.W.P.C.C. played home games at Freeway Reserve during the second season due to renovations to the ground at Wellington Reserve. For the second season they were promoted to “C” Grade in which they won Premiership. In 1973/74 they returned to their original home ground at Wellington Reserve and expanded adding a second side in “E” Grade and also moving the 1st eleven to “B” Grade. Kevin Reed was elected president in 1974/75 and the 1st eleven won the “B” Grade Premiership. Lance Perryman was president for season 1975/76 and the 1st eleven moved to “A” Grade for the first time, losing the 1st semi final in that year. In 1976/77 they again expanded including a junior side for the first time (Under 14’s). Due to the club losing some players to other clubs and the retirement of some founding members the club nearly folded after the 1976/77 season, Des Wastell taking over the presidency half-way during the season. The club elected a new President, Kevin Smith for Season 1977/78 and with a new committee began to regroup the club. The committee decided with the smaller numbers of players it would drop the 2nd eleven and the first eleven was entered into “B” Grade. Extensions began on the clubrooms and a car park was constructed. The Under 14 side of that year was runners up. After 8 years as Glen Waverley Park Cricket Club it was decided to change names. In 1978/79 the club was named Glen Waverley Cricket Club. A second team in “F” Grade and an under 16 team were also introduced. The club was very successful with the 1st eleven runners up in “A” Reserve and the Under 14’s winning the premiership. Jim Ware continued the growth of the club when he became President in 1979/80. After the success of season 78/79 the club again expanded by entering a 3rd eleven. The club needed a second ground and so tenancy of VFL Park car park was obtained. Jim Ware organized arrangements with the VFL and the placing of a concrete pitch. The 1st eleven ended the season 3rd on the ladder with the other team’s middle of the ladder. The Under 14 team again won the Premiership.
1980's
The 1980/81 season was the tenth in the club's history and proved to be the most successful on-field to date. Original club member, Des Wastell was elected President. The season included improvements to the ground facilities with a sprinkler system installed and the inclusion of a second practice net. All three senior teams won the premiership under captain/coach Mike Jennison. With the return of Kevin Smith as President the season 1981/82 saw the club grow again with the introduction of a fourth senior side and second Under 14 team. The club's 1st XI were elevated to “A1” Grade and ended the season seventh on the ladder, the seconds were runners up in “C” grade, Under 14 Oakley zone won the premiership and all other grades finished down on the ladders. The club with presidents David Donnellan and later Mike Jennison only had moderate success on the field through the remainder of the 80’s with several junior Premierships and only one senior Premiership being a 4th eleven in 1987/88. Off the field the club grew very strong, with many big social events often filling the clubrooms until late in the evening on a Saturday night. Although senior success was not big the juniors excelled winning four Premierships and producing many players who would go on and become great players in the seniors in the future. In 1984 the club introduced Life Membership. The first players given Life Membership were founding members Keith Fox and Ray Hyland. The following year another original member Des Wastell and long time player and committee man Mike Jennison received life membership as did Bill Davidson and Geoff King in 1986/87, David Donnellan in 1987/88 and John Fisher in 1988/89. Also in 1985/86 the clubs 15th season the name was again changed to Glen Waverley Northvale Cricket Club.
1990's
The start of the 1990’s saw a few changes. The last of the original members, Ray Hyland and Des Wastell, retired and the club was fielding teams a lot younger than in previous years. With strong juniors coming through to the seniors, there was great expectation for success. This success started when Darren Smith returned to the club as Captain Coach in the late 80’s. He pushed the 1st eleven from near the bottom of the ladder to the finals for the first time since the club’s great success of 80/81. In 1992/93 Jason Wall took over the Captain Coach role and with some help of some good players to join the club and young players coming through from junior level, the club won it’s first Shield (first Division) Premiership. In 1994 under new President John Fisher and a new committee it was decided that with dwindling teams in both junior and senior grades in the Oakley District Cricket Association it was time to move to a stronger competition. The club entered four senior teams and three junior teams in the Box Hill Reporter District Cricket Association. The initial venture into B.H.R.C.A. was a hard slog, with the major breakthrough coming in 1995/96, with the 1st XI taking out the A2 flag. David teBoekhorst and Jason Wall returned to the club in the late 90’s to assume Captain Coach roles, but the majority of the success came from the lower grades and juniors. Across the decade, on-field the club won four senior premierships and three junior premierships.The club also underwent another name change in the mid 90’s. In 1997/98 the club joined Mulgrave Country Club, thus becoming their cricket section.Several life memberships were awarded during the 1990’s, the first to Barrie Carson in 1990/91 then Steve Adams in 1991/92. In 1995/96 Nancy McDonald was the first non-player awarded life membership. In 1996/97 Geoff Prosser and Bruce McDonald were given life memberships followed by Ken Rogers in 1997/98, Mark Prosser in 1998/99 and Darren Fisher in 1999/2000.
New Millennium
After several years in the late 90’s and early 2000’s struggling around the bottom of the ladders in the higher grades, the club has again regrouped with some new faces in season 2002/03. Scott Adams was appointed chairman, and Brett Carson assumed 1st XI captaincy duties. For the first time since 1995/96 the club’s first eleven made the finals (A1), going from second bottom in 2001/02, to Grand Final runners-up. 2002/03 also saw the continued domination of a strong group of juniors. Having taken out the Under 14C flag in 2000/01, the Under 16B flag in 2001/02, the boys fell just one short, finishing runners-up in the Under 16A Grand Final in 2002/03. Jason Wall was awarded life membership in 2002/03.
|
