Welcome to the first edition of Wanderers Weekly WebNews for 2009 and I trust everyone is in fine health both physically & mentally to continue Wanderers’ fine traditions.
In this edition
Ø
Editorial
EditorialØGoldfield Ashes
Goldfield AshesØWish-list
Wish-listoCheatingoBowler’s marksoMachinery shed / toolsoFeesØWalshy’s thanks
Walshy’s thanksØRep Players
Rep PlayersØSenior Statistics
Senior StatisticsEditorial
Speaking of traditions, it concerns me (and others) that we are experiencing a shortage of members / supporters who are willing to shoulder some of the workload in the running of this fine Club. Wanderers have over many years, been fortunate in that we have had a great core of volunteers to keep Wanderers to the fore. However, it has been noticeable that the current volunteers are shouldering more & more as time progresses. What does this mean? Less people shouldering their share of the workload at their club!
This problem needs to be addressed and the only way it can is for each of us to honestly ask ourselves “what have I done for the Club” over the past 12 months or so. If the answer is nothing or very little, (playing does not constitute volunteering) then we should seriously consider how we can lighten the burden of the current volunteers. There are many ways this can be achieved, offer to serve in the canteen, offer to umpire, turn up at Club meetings and have your say, assist at training. Don’t be afraid to offer your help, the common misconception is that assistance is shunned and not wanted. C’mon all, think about what you can do for Wanderers not about what Wanderers should do for you.
Why do toasters always have a setting so high that could burn the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
Goldfield Ashes
The Goldfield Ashes is fast approaching and we are committed to sending 3 teams and camping at the Charters Towers Pony Club. Over the past 5 years or so, I have taken on the responsibility of feeding the masses at the Ashes. Unfortunately, this year I will not be attending the Ashes. So we will need someone to step up and take on this role. If those attending get together and sort out this task, I’m positive everything will run smoothly.
Wish-list
As we herald in a new year, there are a few issues that I feel need to be aired. I would prefer that the following be perceived as a wish list, not me having a whinge.
ØRecently, there was a match at our home field whereby there was a blatant case of ‘cheating’. An appeal for a run-out was turned down by a ‘unofficial umpire’ (player from the batting team standing at square leg). Although upset at the decision our players continued to play the match in the correct spirit of the game. After the first day’s play, the players were having a cold drink and unwinding when the player who was acting as the umpire was overheard to say (boast) to his team-mate that he was owed a beer because the player was actually run-out earlier and he didn’t give him out. Cheating needs to be stamped out and it is very difficult for this to occur at TCI level. Clubs need to take a lead role and rid themselves of players who want to act in this way. I can assure you, had this been a Wanderers player, he would have been subject to an internal judiciary hearing. There is no place in cricket for cheats and Clubs should enforce this.
Recently, there was a match at our home field whereby there was a blatant case of ‘cheating’. An appeal for a run-out was turned down by a ‘unofficial umpire’ (player from the batting team standing at square leg). Although upset at the decision our players continued to play the match in the correct spirit of the game. After the first day’s play, the players were having a cold drink and unwinding when the player who was acting as the umpire was overheard to say (boast) to his team-mate that he was owed a beer because the player was actually run-out earlier and he didn’t give him out. Cheating needs to be stamped out and it is very difficult for this to occur at TCI level. Clubs need to take a lead role and rid themselves of players who want to act in this way. I can assure you, had this been a Wanderers player, he would have been subject to an internal judiciary hearing. There is no place in cricket for cheats and Clubs should enforce this.ØBowlers and to a lesser extent wicket-keepers need to keep in mind the ‘local rule’ about scratching divots into the outfield. Umpires also should keep an eye on this illegal practise and stamp it out. Groundsmen are continually repairing these divots and get very angry at the time. Quite often you will see bowlers step out their bowling mark, gouge a great hole into the ground and THEN place the bowling marker on the ground. If you need to mark the ground, buy yourself a small can of spray paint.
Bowlers and to a lesser extent wicket-keepers need to keep in mind the ‘local rule’ about scratching divots into the outfield. Umpires also should keep an eye on this illegal practise and stamp it out. Groundsmen are continually repairing these divots and get very angry at the time. Quite often you will see bowlers step out their bowling mark, gouge a great hole into the ground and THEN place the bowling marker on the ground. If you need to mark the ground, buy yourself a small can of spray paint.ØDue to a lot of hard yakka and fundraising, we now have a great machinery & storage shed that is well outfitted with almost everything conceivable tool that we may need. However, there is now a problem with tools and other items “missing” from the shed. Now, if you have inadvertently borrowed some tools or other items from the shed, the return of them would be appreciated post haste. If these items are not returned, then unfortunately access restrictions will need to be further implemented. Recently, I locked the shed completely after preparing the wicket only to find late that afternoon nearly every door opened up so people could use the veranda as a viewing platform and guess who had to lock the shed up again after they took off? There was also a case recently where an opposition player was looking for a pair of pliers to make adjustments to his boots,
Due to a lot of hard yakka and fundraising, we now have a great machinery & storage shed that is well outfitted with almost everything conceivable tool that we may need. However, there is now a problem with tools and other items “missing” from the shed. Now, if you have inadvertently borrowed some tools or other items from the shed, the return of them would be appreciated post haste. If these items are not returned, then unfortunately access restrictions will need to be further implemented. Recently, I locked the shed completely after preparing the wicket only to find late that afternoon nearly every door opened up so people could use the veranda as a viewing platform and guess who had to lock the shed up again after they took off? There was also a case recently where an opposition player was looking for a pair of pliers to make adjustments to his boots, Øwhen asked if we had a pair, he was told to look in the shed. C’mon people, the shed and its contents cost a lot of money, its for club-members use only, let’s respect and protect our investment.
when asked if we had a pair, he was told to look in the shed. C’mon people, the shed and its contents cost a lot of money, its for club-members use only, let’s respect and protect our investment. ØThe old non-favourite “fees”. Earlier you were asked “What can you do for Wanderers”, well, paying your fees on time and without being chased would be a great start. You see, if someone has to chase you for your fees, that person is a volunteer who could be volunteering their efforts in another direction. What’s more, you get cranky because you’ve been chased and then you get negative about volunteering yourself. Let’s get off your bums (where your wallet is) and pay your fees. If not, watch out, you will be chased.
The old non-favourite “fees”. Earlier you were asked “What can you do for Wanderers”, well, paying your fees on time and without being chased would be a great start. You see, if someone has to chase you for your fees, that person is a volunteer who could be volunteering their efforts in another direction. What’s more, you get cranky because you’ve been chased and then you get negative about volunteering yourself. Let’s get off your bums (where your wallet is) and pay your fees. If not, watch out, you will be chased.Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
Thanks
On a more positive note, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank a few people who have been instrumental in assisting me at the club over the past few months or so.
ØFirstly, Scott Breen who on many occasions took on at short notice the preparation of the wicket when I was called out of town for work. Scott wanted to take a break this season but thankfully stepped-up to the mark when needed. Thanks big fella, your support and commitment to Wanderers is really appreciated.
Firstly, Scott Breen who on many occasions took on at short notice the preparation of the wicket when I was called out of town for work. Scott wanted to take a break this season but thankfully stepped-up to the mark when needed. Thanks big fella, your support and commitment to Wanderers is really appreciated.ØWhat about Life-Member Frank Stevens, who each week comes down and mows the field and generally does a fair bit of maintenance around the complex. Frank, thanks a million buddy, you are the quiet achiever of Wanderers.
What about Life-Member Frank Stevens, who each week comes down and mows the field and generally does a fair bit of maintenance around the complex. Frank, thanks a million buddy, you are the quiet achiever of Wanderers.ØTo Damien Meek, your efforts with the ‘team white-board’ and now the Honour Board do not go un-noticed. I realise it is a time consuming job which you have undertaking without a murmur of discontent. Cheers mate & thanks.
To Damien Meek, your efforts with the ‘team white-board’ and now the Honour Board do not go un-noticed. I realise it is a time consuming job which you have undertaking without a murmur of discontent. Cheers mate & thanks.ØTo all those who have assisted me or are going to after reading this WebNews, thanks for your past help and thanks in advance for your efforts in the future.
To all those who have assisted me or are going to after reading this WebNews, thanks for your past help and thanks in advance for your efforts in the future.Also, but not so much on a personal scale, I on behalf of the members in this Club, would like to thank the “scorers” who do such a terrific job. Trust me, I have just completed compiling the statistics of 4 of the senior teams from all matches this year up to the current time. The ease of compiling these where we had an official scorer was magical compared to where there was no official scorer. Scorers are very hard to get so we should look after & pamper them where possible. Why not offer to buy them a drink at your next match or just say thanks for your efforts. Whatever, a little thanks and encouragement goes a long way and remember, without a scorer, you may have to do it yourself.
Representative Players
As this WebNews is being published we have three players in South Australia competing at the Australian Country Championships. Darren Frakes and Ryan Dowson are representing Queensland Country with Darren the skipper of that side. Assad Vala, our in-form PNG batsman will be representing ICC East Asia Pacific. Should be a lot of interest and friendly rivalry in the opening encounter when these two teams meet. We should be able to follow the action of our players, click on the following link and then scroll down to near the bottom of the page, from there you should see what to do - http://www.cricket.com.au/default.aspx?s=interstate-fixtures
Emma Gurr is off to Brisbane to compete with other ‘Lady Cricketers” from throughout the state in the “Premier League”. Good luck and enjoy yourself Emma.
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
