Bracewell to coach City Cricket

Northland’s oldest cricket club has found yet another exciting way to mark its upcoming 75th Jubilee — by hiring a Test Blackcap to take it into the future.

City Cricket Club has announced Brendon Bracewell as its new Head Coach and the former New Zealand fast bowler is thrilled to be linking up with the club at its iconic Cobham Oval headquarters in Whangarei.

A member of one of New Zealand’s most accomplished cricketing families, Bracewell made his Test debut on the 1978 tour of England when he was just 18 years old, and went on to represent Northern Districts, Central Districts and Otago in a 13-year career.

Like all three of his brothers — Doug, Mark and ex-Blackcaps coach John, Bracewell went on to give back to the game as a cricket coach and sees his appointment at City as a natural fit at the hub of a region that’s close to his cricketing heart.

“I played a few games for Northland and ND at the “old Cobham Oval”, before the club moved, which is probably showing my age a bit!

“City was always a really strong contributor to cricket in the region and it’s really impressive now when you come to the present-day Cobham Oval and see just how far it has come.

“Not many clubs can say their home field is an international ground, and I think it’s a real testament to the generations of club people who have chipped away on behalf of the club over the years — to see where it is today and what it provides for kids as well as senior cricketers around Whangarei is really inspiring.”

Bracewell previously ran coaching academies in Hawke’s Bay and the Bay of Plenty, where he worked with a young Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and his son Doug (not to be confused with his brother of the same name) who all went on to become BLACKCAPS themselves.

He will begin his tenure with City this month and has a strong desire to grow and develop players through sport, particularly youth.

City Cricket Club President Dean Robinson said it was an honour to have a mentor with Bracewell’s expertise and experience available to its members, with an indoor winter training programme kicking off this month.

“The 2021/22 season is a really special one for us with our 75th Jubilee celebrations coming up in October, so it’s a great time right now to get involved with City cricket,” said Robinson.

“We’re calling for registrations for Brendon’s indoor programmes that will lead us smoothly into the preseason. These are available for both young or experienced cricketers, male and female. And, if you are new to the game, or looking to learn, it’s a really great opportunity to learn from one of the best.”

City’s 75th Jubilee celebrations will be taking place across three days on Labour Weekend, with the Bruce Marshall Memorial Golf Tournament at Mt Denby Whangarei Golf Club on 22nd October, followed by a series of matches and activities at the cricket club, culminating in a Gala Dinner on the 24th.

To register for any of these events or to sign on for Brendon Bracewell’s coaching, visit citycricketclub.co.nz or contact info@citycricketclub.co.nz

For further information please contact:

  • Dean Robinson (Club President)
    Jason Smith (Club Captain) Ph: 021 517 224

Newsletter – December 2016

Greetings to all our followers

Please find our December 2016 newsletter HERE (click on the link) for your interest, we have had a great season on and off the field to date and we look forward to what the new year has in store for us.

Keep in touch and remember to follow us on Facebook to stay up to date with the happenings at the club during the off-season.

Take care
City Cricket Club

City Cricket Club Announces New Naming Rights Sponsor

City Cricket Club is proud to announce that DURACRETE PRODUCTS Ltd, a local company based in Kauri Country Northland that specialises in precast concrete products along with RediRock retaining walls, has been named as the official sponsor of the City Cricket Club.

As part of the new relationship, DURACRETE PRODUCTS becomes the naming rights sponsor of the City Cricket Club for the next two years. City Cricket Club President Joseph Yovich said he was delighted to welcome such a well-respected and successful local company. “We’re always delighted to partner with local Northland companies, and DURACRETE PRODUCTS Ltd represents a fantastic brand renowned for its quality product and service to the area for over 50 years. It is a company that continues to set the benchmark in staying ahead of the game throughout the North Island.”

The City Cricket Club will now be known as the DURACRETE PRODUCTS City Cricket Club for the next two years. Craig Little, Operations Manager of DURACRETE PRODUCTS, said, “We are very proud of sponsoring and supporting City Cricket Club. We felt this was a great way to share goodwill with the Northland cricketing community. “DURACRETE PRODUCTS see many similarities with the club, both being leaders in their field within the community. Like City Cricket Club we pride ourselves on a family environment and consistently seek to provide a great service and a superior product, which we believe aligns nicely with the club’s mantra. To have secured the naming rights to one of Northland’s oldest clubs and most successful cricket organisations both on and off the field over the past 70 years is very pleasing.”

DURACRETE PRODUCTS City Cricket Club will get its season underway in November when the club takes part in the prestigious Dargaville Shield competition. Check out the new DURACRETE website: www.duracrete.co.nz For any enquiries, please follow the contact link at the above website address

End of Season Newsletter – April 2016

Greetings to all our followers

Please find our end of season newsletter HERE (click on the link) for your interest, we have had a great season on and off the field and we look forward to what the next cricketing season has in store for us.

Keep in touch and remember to follow us on Facebook to stay up to date with the happenings at the club during the off-season.

 

City Cricket Club Prems win NCA 50 over Competition

A HUGE congratulations to City Cricket Clubs Premier Grade captain Ian Page and all the City Cricket Club Premier Grade squad for taking out the NCA Lion Red 50 over competition for the 2015/6 season and in doing so adding more silverware to the trophy cabinet.

The Premier Grade NCA Lion Red 50 over Final was played against Kaipara Flats CC Premiers at Cobham Oval on the weekend.

A big thank you to all the City Cricket Club supporters, sponsors, family and friends who made the effort to get down to Cobham Oval to support the team and share in the success – we are all very proud!

RESULTS – NCA Lion Red Premier Grade 50 over Final

City Cricket Club won the toss and elected to bat

City Cricket Club Premiers
171 All Out (49.2 overs)
J Yovich 44, J Thompson 39, R Darkins 23

Kaipara Flats Cricket Club Premiers
144 All Out
C Little 5-26 (7.1), S Hyndman 3-12 (8), J Smith 1-25 (10)

City Cricket Club won the Lion Red NCA 50 over One-Day final by 27 runs.

MEDIA RELESE – http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advo…/…/news/article.cfm…

 

 

 

City Cricket Club Reserves take home NCA Title

A HUGE congratulations to City Cricket Clubs Reserve Grade Team, who is captained by Ravi Maan, for taking out the NCA Lion Red 40 over competition for the season.

The Reserve Grade Final was played against Manungakaramea Cricket Club Reserves at the Mgk Domain on Sunday 6 March

A big thank you to all the club supporters, family and friends who made the effort to get out and support the team and share in the success – we are all very proud and of course it will be great to have more silverware in the cabinet for the season!

RESULTS
City Cricket Club Reserves vs Mangakaramea Cricket Club Reserves at MGk Cricket Domain – Lion Red 40 over One–Day Final;

MGK Cricket Club won the toss and elected to bat

MGK CC Prems
151/5 All Out (40 overs)
C Gurr 49 no, I Wallace 21no
J Ingram 2-23 (5), T King 2-25 (8), R Maan 1-17 (5)

City CCC Reserves
152/7 (39.4 overs)
R Maan 68, J Serotsky 16

City Cricket Club Reserves won the final by 4 wickets

MEDIA RELEASE – http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503448&objectid=11603219

City Cricket Club Newsletter

Check out our NEWSLETTER by clicking on the Newsletter link.

Wishing you and your families a safe & healthy festive season.

City Cricket Club Executive

BLAST FROM THE PAST – Guess who?

Well, well, well – look who paid us a welcomed visit and caught up with the City Cricket Club lads at this weeks training session … Can anyone name either of these gents ???

First Clue
-One came off the long run up whilst wearing – it’s fair to say an extra, extra-long jersey for our successful City Reserve grade team of the 80’s.

-The other originally ran off the long run up before reverting to the short run up and becoming a very successful City Premier grade spin bowler.

Still struggling????

Second Clue
-Once described as a ‘player not of this planet’ after an incident involving a plane whilst playing in a Dargaville Shield cricket match.

-The other character was also well known for being a grumpy leg spin bowler, inventing the legendary ‘Moon ball’ that many players described as lollipops but to their demise found themselves walking back to the club rooms after being dismissed by his ‘infamous’ delivery.

Thank you for coming back to visit us – we hope the bodies weren’t too sore this morning after your net session!

BLAST FROM THE PAST – Richard Watts

Our next City Cricket Club blast from the past was an extremely multi-talented sportsman who joined the City Cricket Club straight from Whangarei Boys’ High School.

Richard Watts was an extremely talented cricketer that played for the City Premier side throughout a dominant 1980’s period in the local Whangarei club cricket competition.

He blossomed and showed that he had talent from a very young age.  Former NCA Chief Executive Bruce Scott who helped run junior cricket in Northland for 26 years had watched 15 of the regions youngsters go on to reach first class level with five of them representing the Black Caps.  But the one name that doesn’t register on those lists is Richard Watts, who Scott rates as the most gifted cricketer of the lot.

Watts gave up cricket at about 18 to concentrate on rugby, going on to play for the New Zealand Colts under former All Black coach John Hart.

“He was one of the three quickest bowlers in New Zealand for his age, a brilliant fielder and very good bat.  A naturally gifted player… but never carried on”, Scott said.

As a dashing but fluent left handed batsman this was highlighted in 1986/1987 when he took out the City Cricket Club highest batting score for the season with a free scoring 147 no.  Also a right arm opening quick bowler who was amongst a selected New Zealand group from New Zealand who were asked to attend the prestigious Dennis Lillie bowling coaching clinic. It’s fair to say Richard’s text book bowling action was easy on the eye unlike that of ‘Black Cap’ great Sir Richard Hadlee.

“Wattsy” as he was known played many significant performances for the club with both bat and ball as mentioned he was an athletic fieldsman with a rocket arm in the outfield along with having a safe set of hands which was highlighted in 1987/88 when  along with club mate Trevor Kelly they took out the City Cricket Club catches cup (12) for the season.

Richard also went on to represent Northern Districts at all age groups up to U20 and was selected in all the tournament age group teams along with going on to represent the Northland Cricket team at senior level before leaving the game to concentrate on his other talent rugby which saw him represent NZ at U/18 level in 1987 and the NZ Colts in 1990.

Playing many years for his beloved Hora Hora rugby club he went on to represent North Auckland before a move saw him playing many provincial matches for King Country throughout the 90’s.

If that wasn’t enough he also showed that he had the skills and talent to make it also in the rugby league code going on to represent the Northland Rugby league team at senior level as well.

There has been a selected few talented sportsman that have worn the City Cricket Club colours over the many years, Richard Watts certainly sits amongst some of the best.

Watch this space as there has been speculation and talk that we may even see Wattsy donning the City colours this season for the odd match for our Reserve grade team.

City Cricket Club is looking forward to seeing you back at some stage either on or off the field fella.

City Cricket Club Welcomes Professional Player James Thompson

City Cricket Club would officially like to announce and welcome our new professional player JAMES THOMPSON to our club for the coming cricket season.

James 19 is from Chester-le-Street, County Durham arrives in New Zealand on Saturday for the first time, as a club we are looking forward to experiencing James’ talents and what he brings to the club both on and off the field.

Jammie/Jimmie or ‘Pro’ as he is known as to many, has only just completed his season in the UK with a final which was played at the home of cricket – Lords. He is currently a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Young Cricketers and Washington Cricket Club.

Some of his achievements to date have included being part of the winning U17s National Championship along with receiving the Durham Academy player of the year in 2014 and also winning and being named man of the match in the Premier League T20 Final.

He is a top order right handed batsman capable of batting in the top 4 – this has seen him have a good season with the bat with highest scores being 103 vs  Hampshire 2XI (championship competition) along with 91 (n/o) vs Gloucestershire 2XI (one day competition).  James comes with further all-round skills and other strings to his bow, he is also a tidy right arm off spinner along with recently developing his wicket keeping skills.

Back home in England James has been described and is regarded as a very, very good fielder to the point of being involved as the sub fielder for England in the recent ashes series.

Last season James was the professional for the Claremont Nedlands Cricket Club side in Perth along where he also coached the juniors at that club. He has just passed his ECB level 2 coaching and is looking at possibly doing his level 3 in the future.

Some of his goals and plans for the future in the game involve playing first class cricket which would see him achieving another goal of signing up to a professional contract.

James is excited about being involved with City Cricket Club and has only heard good things about the club and the area from good friend Tom Smith who played as an overseas amateur here in Northland last season.

He’s looking forward to a new challenge and experiencing a different way of life along with making new friends, he enjoys geography and travelling so with that is excited about the opportunity instore.

All of City Cricket Club are looking forward to James’ arrival and playing their part in the development of his cricket along with offering a great life experience here in Northland during his stay.