A HIT IN LOCKDOWN
When we first decided to feature Helensburgh Tigers Cricket Club on the cover of 2508 District News, we had grand plans for photography. Local professional snapper Anthony Warry was all set to shoot portraits of club members and capture keen young players in action at Rex Jackson sports fields.
Then came the cruel Delta strain, squashing all hopes of gathering together a group of people for weeks and weeks.
Cue cricket parents to the rescue.
Club volunteer Graeme Burrill took his son, Liam, down to the pitch at Rex Jackson oval for his daily exercise, and to shoot the cover photo.
In homes around Helensburgh, young Tigers donned their cricket whites to practise batting, bowling and fielding in their backyards. Their parents took photos.
We love the result. These poignant images of kids playing at home have wound up telling far more than the original story, of a local sports club calling for registrations – they tell a tale of mateship in lockdown, of kids determined to represent their club against the odds – true Tigers in the face of adversity!
Thank you to everyone who contributed, including Graeme Burrill and Ian Hoy (secretary of the Junior Committee), who kindly took time to also answer our questions.
How old is Helensburgh cricket club?
The Helensburgh Cricket Club commenced and took part in the 1984-85 Cricket Season.
It was brought together by locals Mick Duffy and Ron Campbell with sponsorship from the Centennial Hotel. Others who helped included Jeff Bragg, Jim Chaplin, Richard Paine and Bob Proudfoot. In the early days at Rex Jackson, the club played on a concrete wicket with mats. This continued until a turf wicket was established.
In the club’s first season, we fielded teams in the Seniors – a 4th and 5th Grade Team – and in the Juniors, an Under 10s and 12s side.
In its first season the 4th Grade side made it through to the Semis. At the time, the club needed to be affiliated with another existing local club, so Helensburgh was together with Thirroul.
How did the club go last season?
Last season for the Helensburgh Junior Cricket Club was one of our best in recent years. With lockdown behind us and restrictions eased, we were thankful we were able to proceed with our season proper from mid October, with just a few small adjustments around hygiene and players not being able to share equipment.
Highlights...
Our Under-15 team were Minor Premiers and made it to the final but lost to a strong Port Kembla side.
Warren Craig was selected into the Under 15s Illawarra Highlanders team for the Greater Illawarra Youth Championships.
Austin Snell, of the Under 14s, also made the Illawarra Highlanders team in the same championships.
Jack Cattley, of the Under 13s, made the Illawarra Highlanders Team
Ella Cattley was in the Under 11 Girls Illawarra team
And Alana McEnearney made U19 Girls Greater Illawarra team for the Country Championships
Looking ahead, we’re hoping restrictions will ease in time for our season to get underway in October. We assume the adjustments we made last season, around hygiene and the non-sharing of equipment, will continue to be in place.
What are your goals for the 2021 season?
Looking ahead to the new season, we’re hoping to have an increase in players. We’re always excited to see new kids step up and give cricket a try for the first time.
In the Junior Club, ages range from 5 to late teens. In the Junior Blasters for ages 5 to, they learn the skills of cricket whilst having fun.
In Master Blasters (for those old enough to remember, similar to the old Kanga Cricket), we play a modified game of T20 with teams of six to eight. Each player gets a turn to bat, bowl and field, stepping up their skills before they start in Junior Cricket with the Under 11s.
Once they reach Junior Cricket, it’s into the Whites and the games are longer. For the Helensburgh Junior Cricket Club, we have teams in the Under 11s, 13s, 15s and 17s.
Skill levels improve and so do the rules. Players go from having seven on the field and a limited number of balls to face whilst being a batter and not getting out (though adding four runs to the opposition’s total when this happens!) in the Under 11s to being out first ball and more on the field as they progress through the age groups.
How many members have you got and how has this changed over the years?
Our number remains steady at around 85 kids.
What are the club’s strong points?
The club’s strength lies in its identity. All our kids strongly identify with playing for the Tigers with their mates. All players are encouraged and supported regardless of whether they’re learning the fundamentals or representing their region.
Does the club have any famous alumni?
First grade legend Mitch McRae (Illawarra first grade player of the year), current president Tim Lloyd and many more who have competed successfully at first grade level and beyond. There is currently a strong contingent of coaches setting the world on fire in fourth grade.
What challenges do you face?
Each season, disappointingly, we will have a game missed due to car carnage on our ovals.
We were subject to much rain in the 20/21 season and excessive heat the year before, so it’s anyone’s guess what we will get this year, but our kids deal well with whatever confronts them.
Are there many girls in the club?
We currently have a few girls playing for the club. In the Under 11s, Ella Cattley joined last season and a highlight for her was playing and taking four wickets in the Illawarra’s first ever Under 11 Girls Cricket Representative Match.
Alana McEnearney was selected in Greater Illawarra’s U/19 Female Country Championship team. She also got to play in the Blackwell-Mir Cup at Bradman Oval in March.
Why would you recommend joining the club?
Cricket’s a great sport for kids to be involved with. Learning skills, having fun and meeting new friends. Also, it is a sport that teaches them how to play fair, respect the umpire and how to be a part of a team, looking out for their teammates and supporting one another, not just when they’re winning, but also when they might be on the losing side as well.
And for parents too – games are played on a Saturday morning. Times range from 90 minutes with the Junior and Master Blasters and then two to three hours for the older kids.
Anyone you’d like to thank?
We’d like to thank our volunteers and parents. Without their help and support, there wouldn’t be a club. This includes everyone from those who help on the committee to mums, dads and grandparents helping out on game day with scoring, umpiring and coaching.
Our sponsors – their financial help keeps the club going too!
Long-term sponsors include the Tradies Club, Onsite Safety sponsored last year and Embroidery Plus helped with the hats for our presentation.
Other sponsors who have supported the club include…
Stewart Building; John Dark Tiling; Cattley Plumbing; Luke Jones Electrical
How to help the club
Anyone in our community who would love to support the Junior Club financially through sponsorship, please get in touch via email, helensburghjuniorcc@gmail.com
How to join the club
Sign up to be a part of the Helensburgh Junior Cricket Club this season. Registrations are now open through the club’s website helensburghcc.nsw.cricket.com.au and details are also on the club’s Facebook page @Helensburghjuniorcricket
