I have been involved in Vanuatu cricket in some form or another for around fourteen years. I am personally very committed to seeing cricket enjoyed and progressing in this country in as many possible forms as can be arranged. This is a goal for us all, it is a long way from being an achievement to date. I put it to all cricket players and anyone else interested in cricket in Vanuatu that we all have an obligation to work together to further the interests of cricket and cricket development in Vanuatu I seek the continuing support from my Committee and additional support from everyone else interested in cricket during 2001 and beyond.
There were a number of very positive aspects of 2000 cricket in Vanuatu. These included:
The continued lack of respect shown by most players as to the care of the Association cricket gear.
I will further address some of the above issues later in this report.
Please remember that we are a voluntary organisation and I would like to see more people 'volunteering" to assist in some way during the forthcoming season. If your Committee asks for help, please do your best to lend a hand.
2000 RESULTS – TROPHIES
I would like to offer my congratulations to the Mele Bulls Cricket Club, winners of the BDO Club Championship. They certainly earned the title this year, with a hard-fought win in the Grand Final over North Efate. The Roger Strickland Shield winners were North Efate Cricket Club who had a great year and should be congratulated.
Congratulation to all trophy winners this year, and to everyone that had a game of cricket. For cricket to improve and prosper in Vanuatu we need the interest of everyone. Please lend your support to Vanuatu cricket in 2001 and the years to come. Remember everyone who plays also has a duty to encourage new players into the game.
The 2000 Trophy winners are:-
BDO Shield - Roger Mele
Roger Strickland Shield - North Efate
VCA Champion Player - Paul Brooks, 633 runs @ 57.55, 21 wickets @ 15.95
Best Batting Average - Pierre Chillia 426 runs @ 32.77
Best Bowling Average - Malcolm Dalesa 17 wickets @ 7.35
Best Partnership - P Woollard & Evan 139 Sportzpower vs Ifira 24/6
Best Young Player - Briscoe & Marius (joint winners) Lycee CC
Best Clubman - Brent Wilson
Best Batting Performance - Edy Chillia (Mele CC), 111 vs Lycee 21/10
Best Bowling Performance - Brenden Toner 7/28 Nth. Efate vs Mele 14/10
Ni-Vanuatu Player of the Year - Pierre Chillia
Tusker Cup - Vanuatu
Independence Cup - Mele
JUNIOR CRICKET DEVELOPMENT
The development of junior cricket in this country is the single most important factor that will ensure that cricket will prosper into the future. It is therefore essential that we use our best efforts to encourage youngsters to take up the game. We also must do all in our means to identify additional sources of funds to assist us with junior cricket development. The ICC East Asia- Pacific Development Program is helping a great deal in this regard. Every member of the cricket fraternity has a responsibility to help in this area.
In 2001, on top of the fundraising and the improvement in facilities, we took some very important steps to institute a regular program for the involvement of young people in cricket. The Kraft Kanga Cricket tournament saw around 300 boys and girls in age groups 7-10 yrs and 11-13 yrs compete. These kids came from over ten different schools and community groups. This is wonderful stuff and we will look to capitalise on that momentum in 2001. The forthcoming appointment of a Cricket Development Officer will be a strong catalyst in this area. We have also had expressions of interest from some of our senior Ni-Vanuatu players to work with youngsters to hone their skills. We will be looking for assistance from our members and others who may be interested to ensure that this initiative continues to be a success. Please help where you can.
Following on from the very successful Kanga Cricket Tournaments held during the year, we will continue with another tournament in 2001. I would like to thank all who assisted for their generous support of those tournaments. We hope to retain existing sponsorships and build new relationships as well.
We have also had some interest in getting equipment to Epi, Onesua and Matevulu and other secondary schools. We will do what we can to help and encourage young ni-Vanuatu to build up an interest in our great sport.
NI-VANUATU PLAYER OF THE YEAR
In 1993 we introduced the "Ni-Vanuatu Player of the Year" trophy. I am proud to once again sponsor this trophy.
There are no set criteria as to selection of the winner of this trophy. It really falls to the Ni- Vanuatu player that the Committee feels has contributed the most to cricket during the year, by both his on, and, off-field performances. It was not an easy choice. There were a number of good candidates for this trophy once again in 2000.
Pierre Chillia is the eight winner of the "Ni-Vanuatu Player of the Year". Pierre achieved many personal and team milestones in 2000. Captain of the victorious Mele Bulls; captain of his country; VCA batting trophy; team manager for Mele Weaners junior teams and so on. Pierre has great dedication and is a valued contributor to cricket in Vanuatu.
I hope that all of our Ni-Vanuatu cricketers will strive to make this trophy theirs in future years.
CRICKET GEAR
The care that is shown for the VCA cricket gear by most players continues to leave much to be desired. The gear is there for everyone to use and enjoy.
It is the recommendation of the outgoing Committee that all teams must take responsibility with respect to their own cricket equipment. We will require all teams to have their own equipment in 2001 and onwards. The VCA will of course supply the basics, cricket mats; stumps; and boundary markers. This decision was made known to all teams in November 2000 and all teams are expected to conform in 2001. The VCA can assist with supplying of equipment at reasonable prices.
INTERNATIONAL MATCHES
We had a welcome visit from the Cricketers Club of NSW in the middle of our year and were fortunate enough to arrange 5 matches with them over the course of their week-long visit. Many of our players had the opportunity to play in that festival of cricket. The CCNSW proved to be excellent guests and we had a few very close matches with them.
The Vanuatu team participated in the Inaugural Pacifica Cricket Championships in Auckland in February 2001. Although we did not achieve what we had hoped in the tournament, the 7th placing should not be seen as a disgrace or waste of effort. To have the opportunity to play in this type of tournament was a great benefit for all players. We hope to see the ICC's tournament structure be confirmed during 2001 which will see us scheduled for regional tournaments at least every two years. The ICC will supplement the costs of those tournaments to an extent that has not been determined yet.
We sincerely thank all who contributed in some way to the Vanuatu team's participation in the tournament. A complete list of sponsors and contributors will be included in the 2001 Annual Report. A copy of the players statistics is included at the back of this report with some photographs at the beginning. Special mention should be made of Richard Tatwin's achievement in being selected in the Pacifica Championship Cricket Team. It was well deserved as Richard played top quality cricket throughout the tournament. George Regenvanu, our youngest player was awarded our team's trophy for his contributions throughout the tournament.
The one very important factor that limits our potential to make overseas tours is FINANCE. If anyone has any ideas for fundraising and sponsorship, we would be pleased to hear them.
GROUNDS & CLUB HOUSE
The Independence Park clubhouse is still the only one cricket has. We have recently re-roofed the pavilion and it should continue to serve us well into the future.
A little further down the track we will be seeking to formalize a joint agreement with Rugby to develop the proposed facility adjacent to Korman Stadium. The key factor is gaining title to the land. We will keep everyone informed of progress in this area, which has been slow to date.
As mentioned above the new nets at Independence Park have given us a great boost. The efforts of Brent Wilson and his team from the VMF were fantastic and I extend a big thank you to them.
Without the ground at White Sands we would really be in big trouble and we thank the Owners and Management of White Sands for the continued co-operation.
SCORE KEEPING & UMPIRING
Thanks must go once again to Bill for the magnificent clubmanship that he displays by scoring for us week in and week out at Independence Park. I hope that we see Bill at the cricket in Vila for many years to come. I have also earlier made note of Derek and Greg's contribution as umpires. It is the nature and attitude of these gentlemen that should be an encouragement to all of us to make whatever contribution we can to our sport. It was pleasing to return to Vila and see the Bill Grundy Pavillion. This is deserved recognition of Bill's efforts over many years.
However the overall level of scoring by the clubs in pretty woeful. Please try and take more care when scoring so that we can accurately compile our statistics. It is the responsibility of the captains to check the score books at the conclusion of the matches. This does not appear to have been taken too seriously in the past couple of years. The lack of checking and completing the score sheets makes it very difficult to compile our statistics. It is also important that captains ensure that full score sheets are submitted for inclusion in the statistics.
The umpiring efforts of some players has not always been good. I need not say any more on this issue other than I want everyone that goes out to umpire to be FAIR in their judgements. Also, if you have a doubt in your mind as to the rules, ask someone who knows. Keep the spirit of good sportsmanship and fair play alive or we will have arguments and ill-feeling develop.
Just remember that the Golden Rule should be "if in doubt about a rule ask for an interpretation". It is no disgrace to admit a mistake, and, you will learn more about the rules by making an enquiry. We will provide copies of the rules if anyone is interested in taking a look.
AFFILIATION FEES
The last issue that I wish to comment on, once again, is the payment of affiliation fees. The fees for each club are only VT30,000 for the season. Out of those fees we have to maintain the Club House, purchase gear, pay for trophies; and, meet all the other expenses for the season. I am pleased to say that most clubs paid their fees prior to the commencement at the 2000 season. Let's improve on that in 2001.
THE FUTURE OF CRICKET
We have many things to look forward to in the next few years. They include:- - Appointment of Development Officer (Funded by ICC Development Program) in 2001; - Extension of cricket into more secondary schools; - Creating a better environment for young kids to play cricket in; - Cricket at the South Pacific Games in Fiji 2003; - The ICC formalising a world-wide tournament structure to include Affiliate Countries; - Possible "partnering" of Vanuatu (and Fiji) with the NSW Cricket Association to assist with the development of our cricket ; - Training extra people to help coach youngsters; - Development of a cricket resources (mostly human) data-base for Vanuatu; - Extension of cricket away from Port Vila.
All in all our cricket future in Vanuatu is looking quite good. Many of our senior players are keen to assist which is great. We all must work together to see the development we would like really blossom.
To finish I would like to thank all players and friends of cricket for their participation in the 2000 season and wish everyone all the best for the 2001 season. I would especially like to thank my Committee, particularly Greg Dunn and Doug Hutchison, for their support and encouragement throughout the year.
Mark Stafford
President
March 2001
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