Sport Bay of Plenty Sports Awards

Posted: Monday, 19 November 2018

Geyser City and Paul Wills take awards

Bay of Plenty has two finalists in the Bay of Plenty Sports Awards, which are to be held at ASB Arena at Baypark on Friday 16th November 2018. This year’s Bay of Plenty Sports Awards has special significance, being 50 years since Una Wickman who represented New Zealand at Cricket and Golf, was adjudged the inaugural Supreme winner.

By the time Kane Williamson is finished with playing cricket, it is probable that he will be New Zealand's greatest batsman. During the 2017-18 cricket seasons Kane continued his record breaking feats. On the 23 March 2018, Kane took ownership of the most test centuries for New Zealand, compiling his 18th three figure score breaking the deadlock with Ross Taylor and Martin Crowe. His record breaking feat came just eight seasons after his first century (on debut) against India in November 2010. During August 2018 Kane reached the remarkable mark of 10,000 (ten thousand) first class runs, playing for Yorkshire v Somerset, in English County cricket. At the conclusion of the ICC test rankings in August 2018, the kiwi master blaster ranked in 3rd place behind Virat Kohli (India) and Steve Smith (Australia).
However, it is Williamson’s role as Black Cap captain in all three forms of the game, that has guided the New Zealand side to third place in the ICC test match standings and fifth place in both the ODI and Twenty 20 standings, in the last twelve months.
For good measure, Kane had an outstanding season in the IPL (Indian Premier League), captaining the Sunrisers Hyderabad to the final where they lost to the Chennai Super Kings. Kane was awarded the prestigious orange cap for the tournament leading run scorer (735)
Summary of 2017/18 Achievements
A) Scored most test centuries for New Zealand (18) v England 23 March 2018
B) Scored 10,000 first class runs – Yorkshire v Somerset August 2018
C) 3rd place in the ICC Test batting rankings ended August 2018

The Geyser City Cricket Club had a very successful 2017/18 season, which is a direct result of a club-wide transformation starting with the adoption of a new club strategy in 2015.
This strategy identified three key problems, that needed to be solved to grow cricket within the club and wider community. There was a) Lack of connection between junior, secondary and senior cricket, which in years gone by had been the natural growth base of player numbers and community interest b) Lack of a suitable training facilities c) Lack of coaching and associated player development support infrastructure
Summary of 2017/18 Achievements
A) The introduction pathway growth connecting junior and senior players.
B) Successful creation of partnerships between Geyer City CC and John Paul College and Western Heights High School, which incorporated a Memorandum of Understanding that combined expectations and directives.
C) Rebranding of Geyser City teams as JPC Old Boys and WHHS Old Boys, including adopting school colours and logos.
D) Incorporating Year 11, 12 & 13 players into the respective Old Boys teams.
E) The development of new indoor training facility at the Rotorua International Stadium, in association with support from NZCT, RECT and the Rotorua Lake Council.
F) The identification and subsequent funding of a coaching resource available to all players associated within the Club and Schools.
G) The preparation of a coaching plan for the upcoming season, including a holiday training program specifically for school players.

Bay of Plenty Sportsman of the Year - 2018 Finalists
Kane Williamson (Cricket) Mike Dawson (Canoe Slalom) Joseph Miller (Athletics) Sam Osborne (Triathlon) Scott Currie (Rugby Sevens)
Bay of Plenty Club of the Year – 2018 Finalists
Geyser City Cricket Club, Avenues Badminton Club, Mount Maunganui Tennis Club, Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service, Otumoetai Football Club, Ruatoki Sport and Cultural Club (Rugby & Netball)

SERVICE TO SPORT – PAUL WILLS
Paul Wills transferred to Tauranga in 1991 and immediately joined the Otumoetai Cadets Cricket Club based at the Tauranga Domain. The top and middle order batsman, played premier cricket for Cadets for approximately a decade and a half and was also selected for the Bay of Plenty senior representative team on 17 occasions.
Almost immediately on his arrival at Cadets, Paul was appointed the Club Treasurer. He served in continuous Cadets administration until 2008, including a long term as Club President. His services to the Otumoetai Cadets Cricket Club were recognized in 2006 when Paul was elected a life member.
In 1994, Paul was appointed to the Tauranga Cricket Association Treasurer role which he held until the formation of the Western Bay of Plenty Cricket Association in 2010. Dissatisfaction with the grass wickets in the city resulted in the Tauranga Cricket Association (TCA) successfully tendering to the Tauranga City Council to take over the cities grass wicket maintenance contract.
As TCA Treasurer, Paul took on the additional role of facilitating the finances of the TCC wicket contract and was the liaison person between the Tauranga City Council and Tauranga Cricket. Such was the success of Paul Wills hard work, that the wicket contract between the two parties remained in place until a change in direction occurred in 2016. In that time, grass wickets in the Tauranga City area increased from six to nine wicket blocks and artificial wickets growing by six pitches.
The amalgamation of junior and senior cricket in the Western Bay of Plenty in 2010, led to the formation of the Western Bay of Plenty Cricket Association, with Paul elected as Treasurer and a position on the Board of Management.
Today the WBOPCA is an extremely healthy financial position due to Paul Wills diligence. In the last four to five seasons, Paul has played a big part in formulating and setting up the structures that allow for the growth and clear pathways of the game in the region.
A further string to the Wills administration bow, has seen him involved for the last ten years, firstly with the St Mary’s School cricket committee and then onto the Aquinas College Cricket Committee, where he currently holds the position of Chairman. Paul has also found time to coach school and age-group representative teams within his busy life.
It is no surprise that no matter what local cricket body Paul has been or continues to be involved with, that they have all become become high achieving clubs/organizations, within their specific area of local cricket.

Summary of Achievements
A) Western Bay of Plenty Cricket Treasurer/Board Member 2010 - 2018
B) Tauranga Cricket Association Treasurer 1994 - 2010
C) Tauranga City Wicket Contract Liaison 1994 – 2016
D) Otumoetai Cadets CC – President, Treasurer and Committee Member 1991 – 2008
E) St Mary’s School & Aquinas College Chairperson and Committee Member 2008 - 2018

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