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Vets FinalsSince it is anticipated that there will be a reasonable crowd at each match I trust that Club delegates and executives will make sure that they will be fairly well behaved, remember it is Veterans cricket and the object is fun and friendship, whilst it is nice to win losing isn’t the end of the world. I would also suggest that both teams supply afternoon tea as this is a showpiece day for all Clubs. I hope to get to all venues during the day and wish all participating teams the best of luck in their quest for victory. Division 1: The Don Claringbould Shield : Wantirna South vs Knoxfield – venue Walker Reserve, Tyner Road, Wantirna South. Umpires: Francis / Botrell Division 2: The Bryan Mitchell Shield : Rowville vs Lysterfield – venue Seebeck Oval, Stud Road, Rowville. Umpires:Heath /Zaresky Division 3: The David Clarke Shield : Upper Ferntree Gully vs Ferntree Gully – venue Kings Park, Willow Road, UFTG Umpires Richards/ Wright Division 4: Knox City vs Belgrave – venue Lewis Park Lewis Road, Wantirna South. Umpires Jackson/Murphy Should you have queries please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours in cricket, Peter Fahy
Chairman
FTGDCA Veterans Version 2 of the draw is here Club Contact Details are available Here 2009/10 LadderLadder as at Round 8 Representative GamesOver 50’s - FTGDCA 10/150 (D.Hanlon 34, Jeff Mathews 26, E.Glazner 26) lost to RDCA 7/189 (Jeff Mathews 3/33) Over 40’s - FTGDCA 10/121 (G.Salan 28*, S.Spalding 20) lost to RDCA 7/149 (G.Newbegin 3/19, G.Salan 2/12) Chairmans sayThe Inter-Association matches against the YVDCA will be held at Knox Gardens for both O40’s and O50’s on 29 November 2009. Any interested players should contact Brian Power for the O50’s and advise me of their availability for the 040’s at this stage. Paul Attfield has sponsored the Association and all players will receive a shirt as well as a cap for any new representatives. On a negative note match reports continue to be late as well as outstanding block registrations. John Barry is becoming extremely frustrated and cannot complete the details for the ladders. Fines will now be imposed on a regular basis for late match reports, please be aware that the fine is $50-00 per missing report (Rule 4.4) Numerous players from various Clubs have complained that there are no details about the Veterans on the Association website, we cannot provide information that we do not receive. Affiliation fees of $125-00 per team were forwarded prior to the commencement of the year and as we are approaching the half way mark of the season are now overdue. Peter Fahy
Chairman Veterans Section FTGDCA History of the Veterans CompetitionVeterans Records - Click here 25 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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