Robinvale's Daryl McClure and Gai Campbell from Aspendale have been named Cricket Victoria's 2002/03 Volunteers of the Year. ICC Chief Executive Officer and special guest Malcolm Speed announced the winners in a breakfast function at the MCG during the Boxing Day Test Match.

Community Cricket Manager John Harris said the winners had made exceptional contributions to cricket. "We had a nomination from each of Victoria's 16 regions and realistically, all would have been worthy winners. However the judging panel felt that both Daryl and Gai have been absolutely outstanding volunteers, making a vital and unique contribution to cricket in their respective regions".

Harris said that Malcolm Speed's attendance at the function had demonstrated the esteem with which the Volunteer of the Year Awards were held. "Malcolm spoke with great knowledge and passion about the role volunteers play in cricket. He foreshadowed a future where volunteers will continue to be recognised, with their skills and expertise a commodity that should be used in developing the game in junior cricket nations throughout the East Asia - Pacific region".

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Each one of Cricket Victoria's 16 Regions are invited to nominate their Volunteer of the Year, with those selected automatically eligible for the two major awards - Country and Metropolitan Volunteer of the Year.

The respective regional winners are assessed primarily on their contribution to a particular cricket project or program in the current and/or previous season.

Country Volunteer of the Year - DARYL McCLURE (Robinvale-Euston CC)

Daryl is the current and inaugural club secretary of the Robinvale-Euston Cricket Club. The club was formed in 2000/01 as the result of difficulties being experienced at the time by the Robinvale & District Cricket Association (R&DCA). Gaining the support of the remaining R&DCA clubs, Daryl became the driving force behind a combined side from Robinvale achieving entry into the Sunraysia Cricket Association.

He has also been primarily responsible for raising funding in excess of $35,000 for new clubrooms, a turf wicket, roller and general upgrade of the ground and facilities at Riverside Park. Daryl was directly responsible for coordinating sponsorship and recruiting both playing and administrative personnel to the new club.

Not content with these tasks and achievements, Daryl has also established the club's website, been instrumental in recruiting an overseas player for the previous two seasons and above all, retains his spot in the Robinvale-Euston 1st XI as a wicketkeeper/batsman. He is also committed to junior development in the Region through his duties as Manager/Assistant Coach of the U/15 Schoolboys and the Mallee-Murray Cricket Region U/15 team.

Metropolitan Volunteer of the Year - GAI CAMPBELL (Aspendale CC)

Gai has single handedly undertaken to resurrect junior cricket at the Aspendale Cricket Club after a five-year absence. As Junior Coordinator, Gai conducted pre-season letter drops and campaigned to local schools as part of her plan to recruit juniors back to the club. She has also enticed many parents to participate on match days and at training, developing family involvement within the club.

Gai has successfully lobbied local council in attaining improvements in net and practice facilities for the junior competition, as well as obtaining grants for the purchase of protective equipment for players.

Gai has also added her considerable talents to the senior section at Aspendale as club secretary and team manager for the 3rd XI. In all, her weekend cricket duties begin at 7.00am Saturday morning through to 8.30pm Saturday nights, with her 3rd XI commitments on Sunday afternoons.

With all of her four boys playing cricket at Aspendale, as well as her husband playing in the club's 1st XI, Gai has embraced both cricket and the Aspendale Cricket Club in a unique way.

THE CRICKET VICTORIA "VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR" AWARDS ARE PART OF THE KOOKABURRA VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION PROGRAM

© 2002 Cricket Victoria

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