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Past President's Messages
Each year, the VDCA President sends a message of welcome, thanks, and goodwill to all players and supporters in Victoria. These messages are collected and reproduced below.
2011 - David Norrish
Cricket is a game as much as it's a sport, where it doesn't so much matter if you're the fittest, fastest, or strongest (although it probably helps) or even the most all-round talented individual. To succeed in cricket requires the support of a team, and it has been my great pleasure since moving to this city to meet, to play with and against, and to work with many members of the team that makes Victoria cricket such a success. There are too many to name here, and probably many I'm not even aware of yet who I'd hate to miss out, but every person who gives their time and effort to this game we love - on or more especially off the field, on game days and all through the off-season - has my deep and enduring gratitude.
The ICC World Cup is on as I write (building no doubt to another glorious green and gold victory!) - the perfect introduction to a summer of cricket. We have our own VDCA World Cup scheduled for the Canada Day weekend, with visitors from Seattle (representing USA) and Calgary (Canada) taking on local amalgamations under various other national flags, and more Weekend League cricket than in the past few years as well, with 17 matches planned for all teams leading up to the play-offs. The Midweek League continues stronger than ever, and it seems only a matter of time (and space, grounds being the primary restriction) before they are able to expand further.
One of our primary aims for this season involves the revitalisation of our junior cricket programs and facilities, which, despite the best efforts of a number of notables, have been slowly on the wane in recent seasons. I'm excited about the possibilities presented by the increasing interest from the University and various schools, and hope that very soon we will be able to welcome our weekend Colts team back into active competition. This crucial stepping stone for developing cricketers has been much missed in the last few years, and I ask you all to help to ensure that we give the next generation of young players every opportunity and incentive to become life-long members of our community.
My father always told me that "you only get out what you put in" to any project, and it wasn't until becoming involved with cricket that I realised how that maxim could really be applied to my life. Since then, I've come to appreciate the multiplicative value of communal efforts, where your every positive action is returned a hundred times over by the community around you, and I encourage everyone to get all that you can out of cricket by giving all that you can.
The game wouldn't exist without you.
Cheers,
2010 - Phil Glen
Well here we go again; another cricket season is upon us in Victoria. The weekend league will build on its success of 2009 with 8 teams competing. Congratulations to United Victoria for their outstanding performance in the inaugural year both on and off the field. The format for 2010 will remain the same with the 45-over and a 20/20 format with the introduction of the "Power Play", hopefully leading to a more exciting game. 2010 also brings us another "Visas" 6-a-side tournament with teams from overseas and North America competing for the championship. Thank you to Nick Grant and his organizing committee for all their hard work. Visas will be held from 31st of July through to the 7th of August so put this on your calendar and let's support this festival.
The mid-week league under Sirish Patel's stewardship is thriving, and they welcome a new team this year from UVic, who could have predicted the success of this league when it was introduced so many years ago?
Women's cricket is alive and well in Victoria, with many members having been selected for the Canadian Team. I am sure Lenore Davis would be only too happy to answer any question with respect to women's cricket.
The Junior cricket Programme is always a work in progress with John Wenman providing the direction. Volunteers to assist John are always welcome as we strive to introduce more youngsters to cricket.
Finally I would like to thank all the volunteers who give their time to cricket, the respective executive committees who run their leagues, the Beacon Hill Pavilion Society for their generous support, the municipalities and S.M.U. for their grounds. The list could go on and on and I am very grateful for all the support. Last but not least let's support our advertisers in this handbooks; their generous support is greatly appreciated.
May 2010 be a memorable year both on and off the field.
Philip Glen, President 2010
2009 - John Wenman
Few people are aware that Shakespeare was an ardent cricket fan but the evidence is quite obvious in the famous soliloquy from Richard III which begins, "Now is the winter of our discontent... " (Yorkshiremen will applaud the next line; Lancastrians might not be so pleased however! Google will explain!). More so than usual this winter, discontent with the lingering bleakness has made cricketers long for the new season and the chance to come out of hibernation at last. And there is much to look forward to: two additional weekend clubs, a full slate of teams in the thriving midweek league, several visiting teams, a second year of 20/20 competition, an inaugural over-40 competition and the popular World Cup as a season finale; in other words, a full and varied season awaits. We welcome the return of Carico CC to the weekend competition and the inaugural season of the brand new United Victoria CC. We wish both clubs well and they will surely provide new interest for players and spectators alike. Last year's exceptional VISAS Tournament once again showcased in wonderful fashion the local cricket scene, and the success of the Wicket Maidens is reflected in the seven Victoria ladies selected to train with the Canadian team in Trinidad in advance of the Americas Cup to be played in Florida in May.
Finally, a word of thanks to all who give so generously of their time to keep the game healthy. There are so many of you, but the following people have given service which is exceptional and not always acknowledged: Gurmit Sandhu for his work on producing the weekend schedule and keeping our statistics and website up-to-date, Robin Scutt for similar service in the midweek league, Mike Holt for producing yet another first class handbook, Nick Grant and the crew who are already working on the 2010 VISAS Tournament, Pat Ely and Pavilion Society for the fund-raising luncheons and hosting of visiting teams, Russ Brower for his many hours of effort at the pavilion ensuring that refreshments are provided and things kept in good order, to the coaches of the Saturday Morning Junior Programme and to the executives of both leagues who have to endure meetings when more enjoyable pursuits must be put aside. Without you all, there would be no cricket and that is too ghastly to contemplate!
Final, final word: elsewhere in the handbook there is an acknowledgement of the debt we owe to our advertisers and a plea to support them by patronizing their products and services. It is worth repeating here.
May 2009 be a cricket season we can all look back on as one in which all aspects of our noble game were conducted in good spirit and camaraderie.
John Wenman
2008 - Mark Goodall
Hello to all players and supporters of Cricket.
It is an honour as President of the VDCA to wish everyone involved in our association many happy experiences this season both on and off the field. We are blessed to enjoy the game we all love, in such beautiful surroundings which we are lucky enough to call home. Thanks to all volunteers and the executive for doing a great job and keeping the game of cricket alive and healthy on Vancouver Island.
We are fortunate to have many different elements that form the fabric of our organization, including: The Pavilion Society, Midweek Cricket, Cowichan Over 40s, Junior Cricket, Women's Cricket, V.I.S.A.S. and so on. It is important to remember that all of these endeavours are managed on a volunteer basis and it is easy to take such hard work for granted, so I make a call to all members of the Association to help spread the workload wherever you can.
We have much to look forward to this year including the Legendary Visas which has truly become one of the world's great 6-a-side International events.
Don't forget to check our website www.vdca.ca which has an integrated scorekeeping and schedule tool to help keep the all important statistics up to date.
As the rains and grey skies of spring pass to the glorious sunshine of summer, dust off the Willow, press the whites, shine up the balls and let the Spirit of this wonderful game entertain and fulfill our sporting desires.
Play on! !
Mark Goodall
President
2006 - John Wenman
The usual signs of the approach of another cricket season have been noted: the spike in the sales of analgesic balm and life insurance policies, and new rosters of St. John's Ambulance crews to include standby duties at local pitches. These were expected. But this year some much more positive phenomena have been observed which augur well for the new season.
Chief among these is the number of practices which individual players and teams have organized over the last many weeks. It seems there is a serious intent on the part of many players to raise their skill levels well before the "mid season form" might normally be expected to kick in. This can only benefit the quality of cricket overall. It would be marvellous to have local cricket standards rise to the level of not so long ago which enabled Victoria to play Vancouver on even terms in the Inter-City and Tomalin Cup matches.
Another positive sign: the number of younger players who are rising through the junior programme who will soon be able to join the ranks of the VDCA Colts. The Colts are a good indicator of the health of Victoria cricket. Their success last season was very gratifying and we wish Benjy Brooks and his Midweek and weekend sides further success in 2006, and success too, for coach Tony Cordle as he develops the talents of these youngsters.
A third and not unrelated positive sign was the recent pre-season work party at Beacon Hill to spruce up the pavilion and grounds. In the past, the turn-out to this event has been dismal. This Spring saw eighteen motivated people who with pride and enthusiasm repaired the ravages and grime of Winter. It should be noted that the majority were Midweek players and chief among them were the Wicket Maidens. Thanks to all for such a great show of support.
To continue with the theme of thanks for services rendered over the past year, (or many years), the VDCA owes a great debt to the Beacon Hill Pavilion Society. This group headed by Pat Ely, Dave Billingham, and Chris Upshon, among others, were instrumental in providing the usual standard of excellent entertainment at the end of the season for the visit of the MCC and their match against the BC President's XI. This was in addition to the ongoing finances which the Pavilion Society raises to kep our pavilion in good shape.
My thanks go also to last year's executive for their guidance and competent handling of VDCA affairs. Robin Scutt, former Treasurer, and Wayne Beckham, former Vice-President, did a great deal to enhance the standard of administration and give us credibility. The new executive looks forward to continuing in this manner.
My thanks also to all the others who faithfully volunteer, often behind the scenes, to make things work. Inevitably when naming names, some will be missed, but that notwithstanding, here are some notables: Tony Cox (schedule), Niels Nohr (handbook), Bob Sherratt (pavilion maintenance), Alun Rees (Ashley Hall Memorial Match), Simon Heslop (grounds), Milton Carter (refreshments), and numerous coaches and assistants in our junior programmes.
This season we face a challenge in not having a pavilion at Windsor Park, (and the following season the challenge in coming up with funds to pay for the increased rental fees for the new one!). The result will be an excellent facility for cricket, however.
The VDCA welcomes the return of Nanaimo as a separate club. We wish them well as they grow the game in the Mid-Island.
Our website, www.vdca.ca is operational and will enhance our communication internally and with the media and public. Our advertisers will appreciate the much wider net their ads will cover.
We have some very exciting events to look forward to this season, chief among them the VISAS Tournament in early August. To Nick Grant, David Billingham, Shelly Fathers, David Sear, and Guy Drake, every success in putting this together. Early indications are that the 2006 VISAS could be the best ever.
Two other visiting sides will be coming - Stonyhurst College from England in June and the Gloucester Gypsies, in late August. These are good sides and the matches will be worthy of your support.
Finally, I would be remiss in not reiterating that the VDCA exists because of the goodwill of numerous people. If you would like to ensure the continuation and growth of local cricket, opportunities for involvement abound. Contact the appropriate person at the club or league level; their details can be found in the handbook and on our website. If you would like to make a financial contribution, a Life Membership is an option and Trustee Brian Tetlow would be happy to advise you. We have been blessed in the past by being the recipient of legacies. If you would consider having the VDCA listed as a beneficiary on a policy or a will, your gift would have a lasting impact. Treasurer Duncan Hollows can advise in this instance.
To all cricket enthusiasts, whether players, umpires, coaches or spectators, may the season ahead be a memorable one.
John Wenman. President
2005 - John Wenman
As always, cricketers look toward the new season with visions of warm summer afternoons, well-struck boundaries, wickets by the score and acrobatic catches held. Reality may seldom be so kind, but the joy of pursuing the elusive ideal sustains us all and ought to be sufficient reward.
Local cricketers were saddened by the recent deaths of two former Alcos, Trevor Bagot and Johnny Moss. John was one of that club's original members and an Honorary President of the VDCA. We extend our sympathies to their respective families but will relish the fond memories and contributions made by them both.
We also regret the absence of the Castaways this season and we wish them well in their plans to re-organize and re-build.
Happily, we are able to bring much good news of noteworthy cricket events.
Several members of the Wicket Maidens midweek team have been selected to represent Canada in matches in the Caribbean in July. They will raise the profile of women's cricket locally and across the country and we wish Lenore Davis and the others a wonderful time on tour.
We also look forward to two overseas teams playing in Victoria this summer. On June 22nd, a very strong side from Jaipor School in India will play our fortified Colts and on September 30th, Victoria will host the MCC Touring Team when they play a full British Columbia side, also at Beacon Hill Park. We hope that several VDCA players will be selected for BC. It has been years since local cricket followers have been treated to such high quality junior and senior cricket.
We welcome Tony Cordle's return as head coach of the Junior Programme. The future of local cricket lies in our youth and Tony and the VDCA urge your support in every possible way.
Any organization, such as the VDCA, relies on numerous volunteers whose work, alas, is so often under-appreciated. To all those who work so hard to maintain our wickets and the Beacon Hill Pavilion, who prepare and serve afternoon teas, umpire, score, coach and transport youngsters and who perform all the other essential tasks, we do appreciate all your effort and time. You are the heart and soul of the VDCA. My particular thanks go to Past President Allan Carter and his wife Sherry for their unstinting service to cricket over many years. We owe you a big debt but trust that you will still be involved significantly.
To all players, midweek, weekend and juniors, I wish you a memorable season. To all friends, spouses, supporters and spectators, I wish you many pleasant hours of watching and beg your indulgence if the after-match accounts of heroic deeds on the field, may be a little embellished at times.
John Wenman, President
2002 - Allan Carter
The 2002 Cricket season is upon us, and it is already shaping up to be an eventful one.
This season will feature VISAS (international six-a-side), a visit by a team from Toronto also by two junior teams from Cowley School in England.
The VDCA along with the usual parties will be putting on the India, West Indies and the Rest mini tournament culminating in the S&D Auto Body Trophy with a view to making it even more enjoyable.
The past season was very successful and was enjoyed by all; Players and spectators alike. Congratulations to the Incogs who emerged as league champions, and to Albion for winning the Knockout trophy, and the division 2 trophy. The MCC Code and Laws will govern.
The junior development program was vigorously pursued under the auspices of the Metchosin Cricket and Sports Association, which allowed Victoria under 14s and under 16s to give a good accounting of themselves against Vancouver; Should we be able to continue in this vein cricket will be in great shape for the future.
The schools kanga and junior development program will have to be provided by the VDCA now and in the future since funding can no longer be provided by the Metchosin organization. We will meet this challenge through fund raising and Gaming funds. The VDCA is committed to raising the profile and standard of the game and thus will endeavour to enlarge the junior development program, and also encourage spectators, players, and any interested parties to learn the laws of cricket or update their knowledge of the game.
The Windsor Park ground is now ready for use, and a sprinkler system is presently being installed at Beacon Hill. The ground should be ready for use by the beginning of the season. The downstairs are of the pavilion has been redecorated and looks in fine fettle. Thanks to the Pavilion Society and Mike Skene for the hard work he put in.
To all participants in the great game of cricket have an enjoyable season.
Allan Carter, President.
2001 - Allan Carter
Welcome to Victoria and District Cricket Association's 2001 season.
The past season was a very full and exciting one, although our final game against the MCC tourists indicated that the standard has to be raised.
This season will not be as full as last year's, as we do not anticipate any visiting teams. Maybe this is just as well, since the Windsor Park ground is unavailable for the first half of the schedule - the wicket being re-aligned and the field needing to recover from this. Thanks are due to Metchosin and Cowichan for the additional use of their grounds during this period.
The league format will remain the same this season, with the incorporation of the new MCC 2000 Code of Laws.
Cricket has been played in Victoria for over 150 years - a remarkable achievement. This has only been made possible by the excellent stewardship of the many volunteers and the steady stream of new cricketers immigrating here over the years. This infusion has now slowed to a trickle. Therefore, cricket lovers must join together in a concentrated effort to foster the growth of cricket in our community through the school system in all grades of both public and private schools. I urge all interested parties to contact the Director of Junior Cricket to get a picture of the proposed program and to provide assistance in the form of giving time or funds to ensure regrowth in the game locally for the future.
To all players, spectators, officials and volunteers in all leagues, have an enjoyable and successful season, by treating each other with dignity and respect ... All in the spirit of the game.
Allan Carter, President
1999 - Phil Glen
Welcome to the 199 cricket season. May the game we all enjoy so much endure and thrive.
Cricket has been played in victoria for 150 years. This remarkable achievement is only possible through the dedication of a large number of volunteers who give freely of their time and effort. May the next 150 years bring us an abundance of equally dedicated individuals.
The league format adopted in 1998 will continue this year, the season ending on Saturday 18 September with the Tomalin Cup being contested at Beacon Hill Park. The popular Festival games hosted by our West Indian and Indo-Canadian members will continues. I should like ot express our appreciatoin in advance to the organizers of these events.
The Midweek League continues to thrive. It is an enjoyable form of cricket and an alternative to be considered by anyone without the required time at weekends.
Finally, I believe the next few years will be very challenging with respect to funding for future cricket programmes. Life membership of the Victoria & District Cricket Association is an effective and worthwhile way of ensuring the future of cricket in Victoria; I urge everyone to consider it.
May 1999 bring success on and off the field - and once again, thank you for your support.
Phil Glen, President
1998 - Jan Aten
A sincere welcome to the 1998 cricket season. May the sun shine long this summer.
Cricket has been played in Victoria for almost 150 years. During the last quarter century we have hosted the Australina national side, Kent CCC, the MCC, and numerous other teams from countries including England, India, New Zealand, Australia and our neighbours the USA. Teams form Oregon and California have come to play cricket here for over a hundred years. Why do they come? Well, if you're playing, sitting or walking around in Beacon Hill Park, just look around; the surroundings are pretty; Victoria cricketers are regarded as fine hosts and we can always produce a side that does justice to the competitive and social spirit of the game. Collectively it is, I'm sure, our keenest wish that this continues to be so.
The introduction of the new League format, besides providing what we all hope will be more interesting games throughout the season, will also provide more opportunity for "Festival" games that have become so popular with players and spectators alike. As an annual fixture, the "Windies" match is well into its second decade and the match last year, hosted by the Indian community, was a huge success. These games keep the social traditions of cricket vibrant. We need - and intend - to have more of them.
The inaugural Midweek League Festival, with teams from both Vancouver Island and the Mainland, occurs on 3/4 July and is followed by the 7th VISAS Six-a-Side Festival in early August. We look forawrd to the return of old friends, to meeting new ones and enjoying much entertainment both on and off the field. I wish much success to both events and encourage our members to give them their support.
To those groups and individuals who work hard to put the game on the field each year and who ensure our resources continue to be kept in shape, a huge vote of thanks.
Finally, without new players and renewed interest we cannot expect to sustain our membership level. I urge all clubs to be enthusiastic in encouraging the introduction of young players to the game and to give support to the Victoria Women's Cricket Club.
This is a new year. Let's grow out there and have fun.
Jan Aten, President
1996 - Jan Aten
I welcome all cricketers and enthusiasts to the 1996 season. The format this year will be the same as in the past and I wish all teams success in the League and Knockout competition. This year sees the official affiliation of the Victoria Women's Cricket Club with the VDCA. We wish them good luck and offer them our collective support. The Midweek League will again play on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and we hope their inaugural 'friendly' season with St Michaels University School will prove to be popular and become a permanent part of the fixture list.
It is most encouraging to see renewed interest in the game at SMUS. Thanks to the fund established by the late Margaret Van Lijf and the many alumni and friends who have donated to it, two cricket practice nets have been constructed at the School. These are essential to the effective coaching of young cricketers and it is wonderful to see thetradition of cricket continuing at an institution that has been - and is - such an important pad of cricket locally.
Junior Development in the VDCA is up and running with an extended programme this year. We are fortunate to have such a good and proven Coach in Tony Cordle. With the recent formation of the Vancouver Island Junior Cricket Association, we hope to see a much broader base of youth exposed to our sport - and we wish them all success in finding the funds needed to make a good go of it.
We shall see more qualified umpires standing this season than ever before, thanks to the Vancouver Island Society of Cricket Umpires & Scorers. I trust interest in this aspect of the sport will continue to grow. The Beacon Hill Pavilion Society remains dedicated to the maintenance of the Pavilion and I wish them well in their further fund-raising activities.
In early August we shall host the sixth VISAS Festival and I hope David Billingham, the perennial Chairman of the event, will receive the support required to organize and stage it.
We host two school sides this year - Beacon House Sch, Pakistan in Late June and Dauntsey's Sch, England in late July - and two clubs, Sydenhurst Ramblers from England and I Zingari from Australia in late August.
The VDCA will pay increased attention to the safety of players this year. I hope all clubs will ensure that protective equipment is not only available at all games but used by their members at the appropriate times.
Finally, I should like to thank all those who work so hard in their many capacities on and off the field to ensure that cricket will run smoothly, safely and enjoyably in the coming season.
Happy cricketing in 1996.
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