Cricket newsletter jan2018

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Happy New Year to you all from the team at Golden Oldies Cricket. Trust you are able to enjoy the start of the year despite whatever weather conditions you may be suffering or enjoying.

2018 is shaping up to be a very busy and exciting year for Golden Oldies and Presidents Grade Cricket Teams, players and umpires:    

with the 18th World Golden Oldies and Presidents Grade Cricket Festival taking place in Christchurch, New Zealand in April-not too late to enter; with the impending announcement of the destination for the 19th World Golden Oldies and Presidents Grade Cricket Festival-passports at the ready; with the launching of the John Wright Trophy for Presidents Grade, competitive teams of players over the age of 35 and the appearance of John and his backing band at the Festival as a singer; with the launching of the Bert Sutcliffe Trophy for Golden Oldies Over 60s Teams enjoying the fun, friendship and fraternity of the Golden Oldies Cricket Movement;

Plenty going on and more to come as the Golden Oldies Cricket Movement continues to consolidate and develop as an important element in Cricket in various parts of the world.

Enjoy the 1st newsflash of 2018 and don’t hesitate to be in touch with any queries or comments.

Yours in cricket

Peter McDermott peter@govsl.com

18th Golden Oldies World Cricket Festival, Christchurch - 1st to 8th April NOT TOO LATE TO ENTER - 40 teams with players from 8 countries already registered.

Part teams, individuals, groups and umpires welcomed. Let us know your situation and we’ll make sure you get to take part in this fantastic celebration of cricket.

Presidents Grade for competitive teams will play for the John Wright Trophy and bragging rights about who is the best Presidents Grade team around. The John Wright Trophy is a welcome addition to the Golden Oldies Presidents Grade for teams of players over the age of 35 who wish to play more competitive cricket under MCC Laws while still recognising the Golden Oldies Spirit of fun, friendship on and off the field. The John Wright Trophy and John’s involvement will be a feature of this and future Festivals.

The traditional Golden Oldies Grades for those players who enjoy continuing their active involvement with the great game under the hallowed Ethos and Laws of Golden Oldies Cricket. A real chance to enjoy Cricket played in a spirit and fashion designed to ensure maximum enjoyment for everyone taking part.

A major feature will be the presentation of the Bert Sutcliffe Trophy for the Golden Oldies Over 60s Section. The trophy will be awarded to the Over 60s team that represents the Golden Oldies Spirit and Ability on and off the field. Club teams and composite teams are welcome to join this group that is growing in participation numbers and that will be a feature of this and future Golden Oldies Festivals.

Why not enter now and enjoy the Fun, Friendship and Fraternity of Golden Oldies and Presidents Cricket and further enjoying special benefits and offers for the 2020 Golden Oldies World Cricket Festival at our special destination to be announced very soon.

What do International Golden Oldies Do on retirement from Cricket Our esteemed Cricket Ambassadors have some wonderful interests that are well-worth noting.

John Wright, former New Zealand Cricket captain, international coach, county cricketer and regular first class player in New Zealand and England, has become a talented singer who modestly enjoys his musical hobby with occasional public appearances and CD and You Tube releases backed by an outstanding group of musicians, The Sou’westers.

Recent publicity included the following: “John & the band deliver a fabulous evening of songs & entertainment. The Sou'westers with their

cool easy listening style & a country hit or two from their female member recording artist Aly Cook whose tracks have recently hit the top Aussie country charts. Songs from member Liam Ryan, best known as a member of Kiwi band and 'The Narcs', are included in the mix like 'Heart & Soul' and 'Diamonds on China'. The odd 'Coalranger' song is thrown in, from Coalrangers member Dean Hetherington along with some upbeat covers and their songs are all done in 'The Sou'Wester' way with style and fun.

John takes to the stage with his dry wit humour and stories from on the road as an international cricketer and coach. His catchy songs are delivered stylishly with the Sou'Westers providing a great evening's entertainment.�

John and the band will be performing at the Golden Oldies Cricketers Evening to be staged in the Festival Clubrooms marquee in Hagley Park on the Thursday evening of the Festival. Details to follow.

Rod Latham, former New Zealand cricketer, Canterbury Rugby representative and a key member of the 1992 New Zealand World Cup side who performed so well, has the great pleasure of following the progress of his son Tom Latham, now a permanent fixture in the New Zealand Cricket Squad. Tom has captained New Zealand on a number of occasions and plays as an Opening or Middle Order batsman and wicketkeeper in the shorter versions of the game. Tom is one of the outstanding young cricketers playing regular international cricket with a great future ahead of him. Rod is an excellent golfer, a delightful person and will be in attendance at the Festival.

Mike Proctor, former South African representative, exceptional county cricketer, selector and manager of South African teams and also one of the early ICC Match Referees, Mike manages his own Trust dedicated to assisting disadvantaged youth in the Durban area. Most recently Mike has released an important, somewhat controversial book that has covered some of the interesting times he had as a Match Referee. A really good and intriguing read, copies of the book will be available for purchase at the Festival and we anticipate Mike discussing his career ups and downs during his visit. Mike will be around the grounds at the Festival and is staying on to take part in the Golden Oldies Golf Festival in the week after the Cricket Festival.

Barry Richards, another outstanding South African cricketer whose career was limited by the political situation in his home country is a regular supporter of Golden Oldies and Vintage Cricket.

Barry has become an outstanding commentator and has had many engagements on television and radio. Rated as one of the world’s best ever batsmen, Barry is a relaxed, affable Ambassador who will join Mike Procter in their visits to grounds during the Festival. Barry is an outstanding golfer who will join Mike and hopefully Rod in participating in the Golden Oldies Golf Festival.

Golden Oldies and Presidents Grade Cricket is fortunate to have such enthusiastic and supportive Ambassadors who enjoy the fun, friendship and fraternity of Golden Oldies Cricket and all it has to offer.

The Sou’westers

Where to in 2020 for the 19th Golden Oldies World Cricket Festival?

After an extensive survey of past and present team managers the decision as to where to next for the Golden Oldies and Presidents Cricket Festival is imminent. The final decision will be based on the preferences expressed by the managers and will be formally announced at the Christchurch Festival.

The favoured destination will be represented at the Christchurch Festival by a team from their region and by appropriate representatives of the proposed local organising committee. We have persuasive and very professional proposals and we know that the hosts of the Festival will do a great job and we will all have an outstanding Festival to enjoy in 2020.

Expressions of interest in the 2020 Festival and the opportunity for preferential entry are welcomed and can be submitted - contact me - peter@govsl.com

Hagley Park Test Match: New Zealand v England, 30th March to 3rd April, 2018

We will be preparing our ticket order for Test Match tickets for Days One and Two of the final test of the New Zealand season at the iconic Hagley Oval. The Festival Clubrooms Marquee will be placed adjacent to the Oval and will be offering hospitality for Golden Oldies Cricketers in town and hopefully at the Test for the 1st two days. Any test match at Hagley Oval is a great experience and visits from England touring teams are always particularly welcomed.

Last call for Test tickets will be made very soon-all teams entered will be advised. If you know your requirements now then contact us now!

We are able to announce that the third round of games for Golden Oldies and Presidents Cricket will include one game to be played on the used Test Match Pitch on the Oval. Thanks to the goodwill of the Ground Staff, the Hagley Oval Trust and the Christchurch City Council two teams will have the pleasure of playing on one of the great international Ovals. As always it is difficult to decide who should play on the ground and one suggestion that we like is that teams be encouraged to “bid� for the opportunity with funds from the bids to go direct to Cure Kids, the official charity of the Festival.

At present it also appears we may have two past international umpires to officiate and all players will receive combative medallions and a mounted photo of the two teams taking part.

If you are interested in being considered please Contact us and we will be in touch to discuss your team bid.