The SCA Annual Premiers Awards Dinner was held Friday 9th May and whilst Sydney University Cricket Club didn't have the highest representation at the event, those attending certainly were the most passionate.
It was a night for celebrations as Captains Greg Mail and Tom Kierath proudly accepted The Belvidere Cup and The Albert Cup respectively.
Club stalwart, Mail, added a further Captain of The Year award to his personal trophy cabinet, after leading the SUCC First Grade team to their 3rd premiership in 4 years.
Continuing the personal accolades, fellow first grade players Scott Henry, Nick Larkin, Nigel Cowell and Tim Ley were all rewarded for their successful season with selection in the SCA Merit Team of The Year for 2013/14.
As a shock to the man himself (but not to all who have been a part of SUCC's recent success), Director of Cricket, Gary Whitaker, received the Bob Simpson Award as SCA Coach of The Year for the 2nd time in his SUCC tenure.
Most importantly for the Club, SUCC was awarded the Spirit of Cricket Award, as well as the coveted Club Championship. The latter was proudly accepted by Club Chairman, James Rodgers.
For a full wrap-up of the nights proceedings, including James' Club Championship acceptance speech (2:50 - 4:02) visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNJVZMGqu3o&list=UUPVJAP8UlkmbJoqasaqn2xg
The transcript of James' moving acceptance speech is as follows:
“It is a great honour to accept the Club Championship on behalf of the Sydney University Cricket Club.
To win this trophy means a great deal to us, especially in our 150th season.
This is a trophy that everyone in the club can share in; from the youngest to the oldest, on and off the field. From the experienced players and leaders like Greg Mail and Tom Kierath (who has now played in an extraordinary seven Premierships with the Club). To the young players just beginning their journey in Grade cricket such as 17 year old Jonte Pattison, who has now played in two Premierships in his two years with the Club, and 18 year old Joe Kershaw who won the man of the match award in the 2nd Grade Final after only eight games of Grade cricket.
May I thank the SCA, all the administrators and sponsors, all the umpires and officials, all who organized this season. I acknowledge every other club that played in this season’s competitions, especially those who have won trophies here tonight.
120 years ago, Grade cricket started and I’m proud to say that Sydney University was there when the first ball was bowled, just as proudly as we have been a Club since 1864.
One last acknowledgement:
As many of you know, our Chairman, 1st Grade record holder, Life Member of our Club, Life Member of this Association, Mick O’Sullivan, died just before this season started. All through 2013-14, our players never waivered from our aim…to win the Club Championship for Micko whose initials-MOS-were on all our playing shirts this season. I know that Micko has been watching over us all through every game in every Grade, urging us on, willing us to success.
So, now I accept this Club Championship on behalf of everyone at Sydney University and in memory of one of our greatest, Mick O’Sullivan."