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Season 2012/13 - Year 12

Season 2012/13 saw the Association celebrate its 12th season of existence since formation in 2001/02.

The season commenced at the York Street Bowlers Club on 18 July 2012 with the holding of the Association's 11th Annual general meeting. A total of 30 members attended the evening from a total membership at the time which tallied 80. Guests in attendance were Nick Carson, the newly appointed Executive Officer of NSWCUSA as well as Mike Wood and John Lloyd representing the Shires competition sub committee. The Honorary Secretary, Stephen Blomfield was absent due to being overseas at the time.

At the AGM, Peter Friend was returned as chairman for his fifth season while Stephen Blomfield was elected for his 12th season in the role of Honorary Secretary. Mike Wheeler retained the Treasurers position for a third term. Others re-elected to the committee of management were Trevor Schokman and Mark Hughes. Newly elected were Ian Bowman and Ken Buckland with Stuart Wood and Jim Shellens departing the committee.

The 12th season of the SSCUA was celebrated in a number of ways. Members were supplied with a number of items free of charge including an Association cap each with an individual number on the cap designating each cap holders membership number. Active members who committed to umpire more than 50% of Saturday matches were also supplied for free a cool weather white umpires jacket for use on chilly days. Members unable to umpire 50% of matches purchased the jacket for a subsidised price of $24.00. With the benefit of a Federal Government grant the Association also supplied each active member with a quality first aid kit valued at $40 to carry in each members kit bag. A fully catered free BBQ was also put on post season at Trevor Schokman’s home which saw about 30 members show up for a great social day together

The membership of the Association in 2012/13 saw us finish the season with a total of 85 members which is 2 shy of the most members we have ever had. This was an increase of 5 on the previous season. It was during this season that the Association set a long term goal to try and have 100 members at anyone time in the future.

For the fourth season in a row the percentage of days played where umpires were allocated was almost identical around the 84% mark. The Association continues to set lofty goals one is that we are able to increase this to over 90% in the coming seasons.

Statistics from the 2010/11 season read as follows -

* 100% umpire coverage of all days play in First Grade Shires

* 100% umpire coverage of all days play in Frank Gray Shield Matches

* 100% umpire coverage of all days play in Second Grade Shires

* 92% umpire coverage of all days play in Third Grade Shires

* 41% umpire coverage of all days play in Fourth Grade Shires

Other Issues this season included -

* The Association took over umpire appointments to the Sydney Masters and Classics competition for the first time ever. Appointments to this Sunday only competition saw a single umpire appointed to over 40’s matches (Masters) and over 50’s matches (Classics). A match fee of $132 per umpire per day were paid to the appointed umpire at each match with each team paying 50% of that figure each.

* From December 2012 the Association moved its meetings back to the now renovated Redfern RSL (Now known as Club Redfern). Meetings were held in December with Darren Goodger doing a guest presentation and at the February meeting ICC elite panel umpire and fellow NSWCUSA member, Simon Taufel spoke to a packed meeting answering questions about umpiring in general.

* Shires Umpire match fees were raised from $115 per day to $118.45 per day. After two previous seasons where the fee was increased by $5, the change of policy seeing a 3% increase (hence the uneven amount of $3.45) was seen as a disappointing result given the continued attraction of higher fees and better conditions in competitions such as the private schools (GPS)

* President Peter Friend was presented with the prestigious Ted Wykes Association award for outstanding contribution to an affiliate Association of NSWCUSA. This was awarded to Peter at the NSWCUSA Annual Dinner held at Bankstown Sports Club in April 2013

* For his outstanding contribution to the Shires competition initially as a player and administrator and now as the Secretary of the SSCUA, Secretary Stephen Blomfield was inducted into the Shires Competition Hall of Fame (aka Shires Legends) at the post season Shires Presentation Dinner in May 2013

* For the 3rd season in a row the Association with the support of SSCUA Member Ian Bowman once again produced a full colour glossy Annual Report which yet again received critical acclaim around the cricket community

* Ian Tabrett was appointed by the SSCUA to umpire the Shires XI v Grade XI rep match at Bankstown Oval Sunday on 17 February 2013. The match was won by the Shires team for the first time in many years.

* Stephen Blomfield umpired his 300th Career Shires Match when umpiring the Frank Gray Shield Final

* Other members to pass milestones during the season were –

200 Games – Spencer Harrison, Ivan Holland

150 Games – Geoff Taylor

100 Games – Mike Wheeler, Geoff Wheeler, Richard Christen, Ian Bowman

50 Games – Aaron Vella, Ian Tabrett, Stuart Wood, Brian Breakspear, Tony Bergman

* Chris Taylor & Stephen Blomfield were appointed to the 1st Grade Grand Final played at Blacktown Olympic Park # 1 – Burwood beat Epping in a close match winning by just 2 wickets on the first innings

* Stephen Blomfield & Chris Taylor were appointed to the Frank Gray (Under 24) Grand Final won for the third season in a row by Warringah CC played at Airey Park.

* Stephen Blomfield won the umpire of the year award for the second time (his last win being in 2005). Kim Hunter took out the most improved umpire of the year award, while Glen Stubbings won the Rookie Umpire of the Year award

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