North Sydney District Cricket Club

Thanks to All Our Magnificent Volunteers

The Bears are very fortunate to have a sleuth of fabulous volunteers who give up their time to carry out a host of roles to make the club what it is. In National Volunteer Week, we take the chance to thank and celebrate them all - including scorers, photographers, caterers, coaches, managers, match reporter writers and coordinators, and our management committee. Put simply, the club wouldn't function without the dedication of these many people, and we're particularly delighted to have had so many new volunteers join the club in the last year which has allowed us to reach new heights, especially in media and live scoring.

Our volunteers include parents, players, former players and people who previously had no connection with the club but are now an integral part of the Bears family. Profiles of many of this varied team will be featured on our social media accounts each day of National Volunteer Week and added here at the same time so you can get to know them and what they love about the Bears. 

If you'd like to volunteer with us, click here to get in touch.

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VOLUNTEER IN FOCUS - JACQUI EYLES 🐻 Our next profiled volunteer is Jacqui Eyles, who manages the Brewer Shield squad and ("by default", in her own words) also coordinated our ever-changing Women's Third Grade side in its inaugural season this year. Jacqui got into the game five years ago when her daughter, Amelia, decided she wanted to play "real cricket, with a hard ball". Embracing this, Jacqui learned to score then joined their local club’s committee on the girls program. Amelia and Jacqui joined the Bears from Manly for our maiden Brewer Shield season in 2018/19. Jacqui explains, "We heard that the amazing Michelle Goszko was to be head coach of the women’s program and, with the North Sydney location also being logistically easier for us, we decided to make the leap and have the opportunity for Amelia to train under Michelle." Ever since, Jacqui has worked tirelessly to nurture our women's section, going above and beyond to get 11 players on the park every weekend (often twice a weekend), and was aptly described by Michelle in our virtual presentation night as "simply a legend". When asked what she enjoys about the club, Jacqui cites our beautiful home grounds, but "absolutely above all else the people - Rob our president, Michelle our coach, Todd one of the men’s coaches who has helped so much with the women’s training, Bernie our groundsman, Sarah running all of the social media and of course the parents whose support and help make the season possible". Thank you Jacqui - we're so lucky to have you as a part of the club! #BewareTheBear

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VOLUNTEER IN FOCUS - NICOLE JAMES 🐻 Our first volunteer in focus this week is Nicole James, a member of our management committee who focuses on media and sponsorship. Nicole's expertise and contacts have led to the club gaining substantial media presence over the past year, as well as our partnership with Mario Brothers Pizza & Pasta. Nicole came to the Bears a year ago when her son, Jack, joined the club with an elite athlete scholarship from UTS. But her connection with cricket goes back much further. Nicole tells us, "My father, a wicketkeeper-batsman, played for Australia in the services side, as well as NSW Country and first grade for Manly. He played with many greats from Bradman to Benaud and counted Keith Miller and Arthur Morris as friends. Love of a good test match was instilled in me from an early age!" Nicole loves the camaraderie between the teams at UTS North Sydney, saying "my son has made some firm friends and enjoys the company of all his team mates who have all been incredibly supportive of him in his first year." And she's found plenty to celebrate and publicise in her club media role too. #BewareTheBear

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VOLUNTEER IN FOCUS - JEFF VILENSKY 🐻 Our next volunteer in focus is scorer and matchday media content provider, Jeff Vilensky. Jeff's son, Jordan, had "done his time" (in Jeff's words) in the local Central Coast competition and decided to have a crack at the Sydney game, joining the Bears for 2019/20. Jeff played chauffeur and started tweeting scores and the occasional photo and video clip from Jordan's Third Grade games, allowing for regular updates on our social media. After a few rounds, he got in touch to ask if it would be OK if he live scored the games - of course it took us about ten seconds to say "yes please!". Since then, he's multi-tasked the iPad with providing score updates, taking photos of key moments and recording occasional video footage. When asked what he enjoys about the club and his role, Jeff told us how much he's enjoyed building friendships over the last year, and feeling a valued member of the club. He added, "The most enjoyable element is spectating the game and feeling like you're adding value to the team. Players pay fees to play the game, not do paperwork - my part allows them to concentrate on what they are there to do." Jeff's presence adds a huge amount of value - thank you! #BewareTheBear #NVW2020

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VOLUNTEER IN FOCUS - ASHLEY PERROTT 🐻 Our next volunteer in focus during National Volunteer Week is Ashley Perrott. Ash is a member of our coaching team who focuses on fielding and general fitness and provides matchday support, especially to Second Grade. Ash has been involved with the Bears for the past year on the cricket side, but (cryptically) tells us: "I did have some relationship with the Bears rugby league team in the early 1990s, so my Bears link probably does go back a bit!" His dad was a very good fast bowler in country NSW and Ash started playing at around 6 or 7 years old and loved the game. As well as coaching, he still plays cricket to this day. Ash lived in Singapore for some years, and met Todd Harper over there through cricket. He explains: "When I got back to Sydney a year or two ago, Todd asked if I could come down and assist at the Bears." The rest is history! When asked what he enjoys about the club, like so many others Ash cites the people and team spirit, saying "This is a club that personifies that team spirit and camaraderie." He adds, "I have played competitive team sports my whole life and know how beneficial it is, so love being at the Bears and part of a group that is passionate about the game. In these challenging times for a lot of people, it's mateship and support from friends and team-mates that help people get through. If I can play a role in helping the guys get better as cricketers, physically and mentally, and achieve success for themselves and the club, that’s what I enjoy." You certainly do, Ash - thank you! #BewareTheBear #NVW2020

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VOLUNTEER IN FOCUS - DAVID JAMES 🐻 Our next profiled volunteer is David James, who has fulfilled a huge variety of roles since joining us a year ago. He's our PGs scorer, one of two regular photographers for First Grade, match report coordinator and editor, and writes our copy for the North Shore Times and Mosman Daily - so you'll have seen plenty of his work on our social media and website. David has always had a love of cricket and has been actively involved in the game since his son, Jack, started playing at the age of 4. He coached junior cricket including at representative level but started to focus on scoring once Jack's cricket "became more serious", including being PGs scorer at Randy Petes before Jack moved to the Bears last year. David finds all his club roles very fulfilling, and through them has enjoyed getting to know the players, how they play the game and their personalities. He says, "Photography is a hobby and I enjoy the challenge. I like the fact that every shot tells a story," and goes on to note, "Scoring brings out my love of a stat and you get to watch every ball." He also likes to get key statistics into the match reports he writes for First Grade and PGs, while enjoying a laugh from the anecdotes included in the captains' reports for the other grades. "The match reports demonstrate what a tight knit club North Sydney is and how supportive the players are of one another." David appreciates the club's Bears' blend of "a great bunch of younger players and older more experienced guys" and also the friendly feel of the club, the coaches' genuine care for the players, and our "amazing group of volunteers." We're truly fortunate to have David on board, and in particular he's played a huge role in improving the quality and quantity of our media output this season - thank you! #BewareTheBear #NVW2020

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VOLUNTEER IN FOCUS - KATHY CAMPBELL 🐻 Our next profiled volunteer is Kathy Campbell, who has so many roles it was hard to summarise them in a few words! She has been volunteering for the Bears for nine years, initially as Canteen Manager for First Grade and then, in recent years, expanding the role to look after matchday logistics. This includes coordinating all the little details like cordial across all grounds, First Grade match balls, caps for First Grade debutants, and running the captains' meetings with the umpires after home games. Put simply, Kathy's presence means that all of matchday runs like clockwork, although it's for her efforts in the canteen that she's probably best known - including for without a doubt the best chicken burgers in NSW Premier Cricket (trust us, we've tried them all)! Kathy is also a valued member of our management committee and, in particular, takes responsibility for major events such as our annual presentation night. When asked what she enjoys about being part of the club, Kathy cites its progressiveness and the opportunity to "work with a really great committee to support the players". Kathy puts the playing group at the heart of everything she does - her son James (who opens the bowling for First Grade) is her motivation, but she also likes to really look after all the First Grade players, telling us that "someone commented no long ago that I treat them all like they're my sons!" She is one of the club's most passionate supporters, attending every First Grade game, home or away and rain or shine, and has particularly enjoyed our resurgence after a few leaner years: "The last couple of seasons have been particularly successful for the team and I really enjoy hearing the way they sing the club song after a win!!" Thank you, Kathy, for everything you've done and continue to do for the Bears. #BewareTheBear #NVW2020

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VOLUNTEER IN FOCUS - MICHAEL LLOYD 🐻 Our next profiled volunteer is the club's Vice President, Michael Lloyd. As well as this key role in the committee and managing key sponsor relationships, Michael has been an active player for over ten years - he now appears as often has he can in the Fifth Grade top order but was previously a long-suffering Second Grade captain. Michael can't remember a time when he didn't play cricket, and cites Dean Jones, Steve Waugh and Allan Border as early influences. He was persuaded to join North Sydney by former player and legendary Bear Seb Reid. He loves the inclusive nature of the Bears and all the friends he's made both on and off the pitch, and enjoys the opportunity to influence the direction of the club in the VP role. #BewareTheBear #nvw2020

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VOLNTEER IN FOCUS - GEMMA-JAYNE ASHDOWN 🐻 Today we shine the spotlight on Gemma-Jayne Ashdown, who joined the club this season as the scorer for our Second Grade team. Gem was keen to get back into cricket after scoring for many years in the UK. She explains, "I started scoring for Basingstoke and North Hants CC as a child because of my father playing for them, and it was something we did together." Gem has also put her graphic design skills to great use with the Bears, developing social media graphics and editing photos. She particularly enjoys the comradery within the club and says, "Scoring is my therapy!" Thank you, Gem - we are lucky to have you on board! #BewareTheBear #NVW2020

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VOLUNTEERS IN FOCUS - CHRIS HIGGS & RACHEL PRYCE 🐻 Today we cast the spotlight on Chris Higgs and Rachel Pryce, who got in touch a year ago offering to volunteer with us as they wanted (in their words) "to give back to the local community that has embraced us as Australian Citizens" after moving from the UK. Being "an active cricketer and cricketing widow for many years", the local cricket club seemed a great choice! Of course we gratefully accepted their offer and consider ourselves very lucky to have Chris and Rachel as part of the club. Over last season, they carried out a number of roles on matchday, including manning the canteen and sausage sizzle, Chris was the voice of North Sydney Oval over the tannoy for our T20 day, and together they drummed up publicity for the day and raised awareness of the club amongst local businesses. We look forward to Chris and Rachel's continued involvement, and are delighted to hear how happy they are to have joined the Bears. #BewareTheBear #NVW2020

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VOLUNTEER IN FOCUS - LUKE SMITH 🐻 Our next profiled volunteer is Luke Smith, who was the matchday ground manager at Bon Andrews during last season. He made the place run like clockwork with his catering, cleaning, drinks mixing, marking white lines during intervals, assisting with scoring, and much more besides. Luke has loved cricket since watching Brett Lee terrorise batsmen as he grew up, but is a batsman himself. He's been involved with the Bears on and off for 10 years, and recalls that, aged 17, he was part of a Third Grade side bowled out for just 8 runs! Luke was out of the game for a couple of years due to injury, but came back to the club at the start of the season as a volunteer, knowing how much it helps players to have someone to look after the little things so they can focus on the game at hand. Fortunately for Luke, his injury has recovered enough to allow him to play again, but he continues to help out around the club where he can. Luke's played at Northern District and in Adelaide and Auckland and, since returning to the Bears, has appreciated seeing positive changes to culture, commitment and development of players. He says, "The club has excellent facilities and personnel, and the continual push to be better on and off the field is a draw card." #BewareTheBear #NVW2020

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VOLUNTEER IN FOCUS - ALAN GIBBONS 🐻 Our final profiled volunteer for this National Volunteer Week is Alan Gibbons, who carries out a host of roles in our women's and girls' section - in his words "assisting Michelle Goszko in coaching the Brewers team, helping Jacqui Eyles organise the weekend's teams, scoring for Brewers and 3rds, driving players to/from cricket, and anything else needed to get the players out there doing their thing." Alan got into cricket in 2015 when he volunteered to coach the girls U13 reps team for North Shore, that his daughter Amy was part of. The Gibbons family joined the Bears at the start of the 2019/20 season with Any looking for more opportunities at Brewer level after four years of reps and club cricket. As well as Alan involvement, his wife Sarah started playing for our Women's Third Grade team and thoroughly enjoyed her first season too! When asked what he enjoys about the club, Alan says, "Michelle is awesome and watching the girls love their game is an absolute pleasure." It's our pleasure to have you and the family as part of the club, Alan - thank you! #BewareTheBear #nvw2020

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