Tasmania's two most senior cricket administrators, Tasmanian Cricket Association Chairman Denis Rogers and Deputy Chairman Brent Palfreyman have been awarded life membership of the Association.

The Life Memberships were endorsed by members at the TCA's 136th Annual General Meeting on Monday, 26 August 2002 following a recommendation from the TCA Board.

These are the first Life Memberships awarded by the TCA since the honour was bestowed on Mr Bert Brownlow some 26 years ago, in 1976. There have only been 25 Life Memberships awarded by the TCA since its inception in 1867.

DENIS ROGERS AO

Denis Rogers AO was appointed to the TCA Committee of Management/Board of Directors in June 1986 and elected Chairman in July 1986. He became a delegate to the Tasmanian Cricket Council in 1986 and was Pennant Committee Chairman from 1986-1990; Ground Committee Chairman from 1986-1990; he serves on the Finance Committee and is Chairman of the Executive Committee since 1991.

Denis was elected as Tasmania's representative on the Australian Cricket Board from 1989 and will retire at the next AGM in September 2002. He served with distinction as Chairman of the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) for two three-year terms from 1996 to 2002.

He is a recognised national leader in sporting administration and has made a significant contribution to the advancement of world cricket. He has:

• Provided dynamic administrative leadership for cricket, not only in Tasmania but nationally and internationally; and
• At the national level, overseen the restructure of Australian cricket administration, provided the support structure to take the Australian cricket team to a position of world leadership, pioneered national junior development and coaching programs and the advancement of Aboriginal participation in the sport.

Along with these achievements, he also:

Was instrumental in the restructuring of Tasmanian cricket in 1991 with the emergence of the Tasmanian Cricket Association as the State's governing cricket body. His efforts at ACB level were mainly responsible for the programming of international cricket at Bellerive Oval and he was actively involved in securing Tasmania's first Test Match in December 1989.

He was instrumental in securing the Commonwealth and State Government funding support to enable the $18 million redevelopment of the Bellerive Oval, that will ensure its future as an international cricket venue and also provide Tasmania with a high standard multi-purpose sporting facility.

On the international front, Denis was Australia's representative on the International Cricket Council (ICC) and a member of the Executive Board of the ICC. He was a member of the international committee that investigated the conduct of a World Championship of Test Cricket and on behalf of the ICC, directed the task of taking the sport of cricket into China and other Asian regions. He was a member of the ICC Executive, directing the investigation into cricket corruption and enjoys the respect of cricket administrators and leading players from all cricket playing nations.

On being awarded Life Membership, Denis Rogers said he was truly honoured.

He said that he was a life member of many cricket clubs and associations around the world, but none were as important or as prestigious as the honour that had now been bestowed on him by his home Association.

BRENT PALFREYMAN

Brent Palfreyman was appointed to the TCA Committee of Management/Board of Directors in June 1986; Deputy Chairman in July 1986; and a delegate to the Tasmanian Cricket Council in the same month. Brent served as Pennant Committee Chairman from 1986-1990 and has been Chairman of the Finance Committee since 1987. Always vitally concerned with the future of cricket, he was Chairman of the TCA Youth Council from 1989 to 1995. He was appointed to the Executive Committee in 1991 and was Tasmania's delegate to the ACB Development Committee from 1992-2001.

Brent, as well as having high administrative prowess, has been a very successful sportsman. In cricket, he began his first grade career at 16 in the 1960-61 season and continued until 1978-79. He played for the Sandy Bay Club and captained the team for many years. In his student days, he also played three years with the University Club and was recognised for his ability by being awarded the TCA Player of the Year Medal in the 1977-78 season.

Brent went on to represent Tasmania where he played six first-class and two limited overs matches.

Brent is an Accountant by profession and he has applied his professional skills to the administration of the TCA in an exemplary manner since its inception as the State body in 1986. He has carried out his duties willingly, skilfully and tirelessly. His contribution in this area, together with his contribution to the general administration of the TCA, has been outstanding.

On being awarded Life Membership, Brent Palfreyman said he was thrilled that his peers in the Association had seen fit to award him such a great honour.

He said cricket had played a big part in his life and he was pleased that he had been able to put something back into the sport and particularly to assist young players to develop in the game.

Both Messrs Rogers and Palfreyman have advanced the status of cricket in Tasmania by having:

• Championed the unification of Tasmanian cricket;
• Achieved the development of a first class international cricket ground at Bellerive and is now overseeing the $18 million upgrade to Tasmania's premier sporting venue;
• Seen the Cascade Tasmanian Tigers cricket team established as a highly competitive unit in the national Pura Cup (formerly Sheffield Shield) Competition;
• Attracted international cricket, including the playing of Test Matches to Tasmania;
• Established comprehensive cricket coaching and development programs for young Tasmanians in all areas of the State;

A members' cocktail reception to present Life Membership badges to Denis and Brent has been arranged for Wednesday, 6 November 2002. All TCA Members are invited to attend, to witness the presentation and to join a guided tour of the redeveloped facilities at Bellerive Oval.

© 2002 Tasmanian Cricket Association

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.