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2008/09 The Following Playing schedule was approved at the AGM | Round | Date | Round | Date | | 1 | 12th October 2008 | 2 | 26th October 2008 | | 3 | 9th November 2008 | 4 | 23rd November 2008 | | 5 | 7th December 2008 | 6 | 18th January 2009 | | 7 | 1st February 2009 | Semi | 8th February 2009 | | Grand | 15th February 2009 | | |
Note: December 14th is a reserve day for washouts.
Interassociation Games: V YVDCA 16th November, V RDCA 26th January
Grand Final Reserve Day 1st March 2009 Click Here Completed round 9. History of the Veterans Competition25 years of Veterans Cricket
- A truly successful innovation by the FTGDCA
After so many years it is time to reflect on the Veterans Competition; why it started, what were the original aims; and is there a need to now consider changes.
The Formative Years:
In the early 1980’s several FTGDCA clubs were fielding an ‘oldies’ team in the lower grades often naming it the Club XI. At the same time the junior section was growing rapidly and many fathers expressed interest in playing, but due to family commitments the common comment was that they couldn’t play every Saturday. The idea of a Sunday Veterans Section was put forward, and in 1982 the Senior Executive formed an official competition. Five clubs played every two weeks, with the top two teams playing a Final in season 1983/84. Of the five inaugural member clubs, three have fielded at least one team every year – with Bayswater, Belgrave and Upper Ferntree Gully being strong long term supporters of Vets Cricket. Knox and Footballers have also participated when numbers permitted. The main aim of Vets cricket was to (most importantly) keep older players active within their club scene and to entice fathers to join their son’s club. During the formative years it often proved necessary to change and adapt the playing rules to suit the needs of the players and clubs. Vets cricket became very sociable, with after match teas providing bar sales that boosted club revenue. It was a fun afternoon. Gradually more clubs embraced the concept and the vets section developed it’s own administration with a Chairman, Match Secretary and delegates from clubs to form an Executive Committee. David Kirby, Don Claringbould, John Barry, Arthur Bailey and Gary Mitchell steered the growing competition, to be followed by David Clarke and Peter Fahy. Touring Vets: In the winter of 1988 a colourful brochure was received advertising an Air New Zealand Golden Oldies Festival of Cricket in Brisbane. By September a party of 57 players and partners found themselves journeying to Queensland, with two teams formed by drawing players from many clubs in the FTGDCA. The success ( both on the ground and most importantly, off the ground) of this Brisbane visit led to the formation of the FTG Lyrebirds – a touring cricket group, with membership open to anyone who volunteered their participation. A trip to England playing matches against village teams, with days at Lords and Edgbaston for the 1989 Ashes Tour was a lifetime highlight. Interest in touring was high and further trips followed;
- England and Wales in 1991 and 1994.
- New Zealand Golden Oldies in 1992.
- Sydney Golden Oldies in 1996.
- South Africa in 1997.
- England and Canada in 2000.
- New Zealand in 2001.
Veterans cricket was gaining in popularity in the suburbs, with Ringwood, Box Hill, Yarra Valley and Diamond Valley forming competitions. Along with teams from these other Victorian competitions, FTG Vets teams also participated in week long cricket carnivals under the AVCC banner (Queensland, Melbourne, and twice in Albury) in these years.
The joint Midland Guildford – AVCC Cricket Carnival to celebrate 100 years of cricket at Lilac Hill in Perth was another milestone. Composite FTGDCA teams, plus Bayswater, Belgrave and Upper Ferntree Gully fielded teams at these Carnivals. During this 17 year period more than 100 players (and partners) enjoyed the Lyrebird Tours visiting overseas venues, and participated in 102 games developing cricket friendships. Today and the Future: Broadly, the players of today differ greatly from those of the inaugural years. Some of the old brigade are still playing in the minor grades, but overall today’s Vets players are younger, often still playing Saturday, and have younger children with the inherent family commitments. The higher grades are extremely competitive with clubs recruiting far and wide, but the number of forfeits in the lower grades is a worrying sign. Affiliation and grading of teams in mid winter when clubs have no idea of likely numbers is something to review along with penalties for forfeits. A well established fact from these 25 years is that a team needs a list of 16 players – not a list of 25 for two teams. Playing with 7 or 8 is not much fun on any summer day. The concept of Vets cricket is valid, however with the social, employment and family situations of today maybe there is a need to again consider changes to the format to make the competition more acceptable to players – allowing clubs to field full teams for scheduled matches. This overview of the 25 years of Veterans is designed to be thought provoking, for current players to consider and discuss with their club while this season’s activities are still fresh to mind. Congratulations and thank you to the recipients of special awards (players and clubs) recognizing 25 years of involvement and support. - David Clarke (Belgrave),Tom Jackson (Bayswater) and Alan Kirkpatrick (UFTG)
- Belgrave, Bayswater, Upper Ferntree Gully
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