Bay Of Plenty Cricket Well Represented At NZ Cricket And ND Awards Presentations

Posted: Friday, 8 May 2020

2019-20 Awards

Bay of Plenty Cricket was well represented at the recent 2020 NZ Cricket and ND virtual awards presentations. Black Cap Captain Kane Williamson, received the NZ Cricket ODI player of the year at the NZC Awards with Rotorua's Geyser City Cricket Club receiving the NZC Club of the Year trophy.

The Black Cap skipper was in sensational form at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup hammering 578 runs, at an incredible average of 82, which included two centuries. Williamson was selected as the 2019 World Cup Player of the tournament and was also chosen in the ICC ODI Team of the Year.

“Kane was simply exceptional at the ICC Cricket World Cup last year,” said Black Caps Head Coach Gary Stead. “He can be extremely proud of what he achieved at the tournament in the UK. He scored his runs at crucial times, in crucial matches and he set a tempo throughout the tournament that allowed us to play some superb cricket.”

Geyser City Cricket Club, received endorsement of their forward thinking and planning in recent seasons, with the presentation of the NZC Club of the Year Award. The NZ Cricket awards release said “The creation of a new, all weather, anytime training facility and the concurrent partnership with Western Heights High School and John Paul College, has helped provide the Geyser City Cricket Club access to all ages in the wider Rotorua cricket community".

"Along with this, the Geyser City Club has implemented a professional coaching service for all members, allowing everyone to not only get the best out of their coaches but to get the best out of their teams. In addition, they have acquired portable wickets to allow cricket to effectively be played anywhere, anytime and enjoyed by everyone".

Long-time Western Bay of Plenty Cricket Administrator Paul Wills and Te Puke Cricket Club 'Wearer of Many Hats' Stephen Crossan, were recognised for their many unsung contributions to regional cricket at the virtual ND Prize Giving.

Paul Wills received the prestigious ND Service to Cricket Award, for nearly thirty years of involvement in the great game in the Western Bay of Plenty. Wills was a top and middle order batsman of some note, playing premier cricket for Otumoetai Cadets for a decade and a half and numbering 17 games for the Bay of Plenty senior representative team.

Wills was a long-term President and Treasurer of the Otumoetai Cadets. In 1994, Paulwas elected as Tauranga Cricket Association Treasurer, a position which he held until the formation of the Western Bay of Plenty Cricket Association in 2010.

The amalgamation of Western Bay of Plenty junior and senior cricket in 2010, led to the formation of the Western Bay of Plenty Cricket Association, with Wills elected as Treasurer and a position on the Board of Management, which he stills holds today.

Stephen Crossan's tremendous work tending the grounds at Te Puke Cricket Club, has seen him win the ND District Association Groundsman of the Year Trophy.

Crossan has been involved in the grounds-keeping duties at the Te Puke Cricket Club for the past five years. Between his day job at the family farm/orchard, he finds time to prepare the block at Te Puke, often having to down tools on the farm at short notice to go in and cover the wicket.

Maintaining the Te Puke Cricket Clubs wicket is just part of his untiring devotion tothe Club that he loves with a passion. Stephen serves as the Te Puke CC President and further leads from the front as the Te Puke Premier captain.

As a player, Stephen is a hard hitting opening batsman who has been an integral member of the Bay of Plenty senior representative team in recent seasons. Therecently completed representative season, saw Crossan bring up the double Bay of Plenty Cricket honour, of earning his Bay baggy cap for 25 games in the provincial uniform and reaching the 500 runs mark.

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