Despite not having a team in the Shoalhaven Senior Cricket Competition since 1987, the Kangaroo Valley Cricket Club has a long history, dating back to 1892.
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That 95-year history has now been put down on paper.
Local historical author Alan Clark has produced A History of Kangaroo Valley Cricket.
It’s the latest in Clark’s superb Shoalhaven Cricket Clubs of Yesteryear series.
Mind you, regular matches had been held in the area for 20 years previously.
Of those initial eight, only two, Berry and Nowra survive. The likes of Coolangatta, Currambene, Numbaa, Pyree, Cambewarra and the Valley have all disappeared.
Published by the Kangaroo Valley Historical Society the book will be launched at a special afternoon gathering on Saturday, October 13 at Osborne Park (Kangaroo Valley Showground) from 2pm.
Historical society president Garth Chittick said it was great to see the club’s history put down in print.
“Alan Clark, as usual, has done a phenomenal job,” he said.
“The club’s story is one of dedication - in the early days, players often had to travel so far to even contest games, it took a huge amount of commitment and dedication.”
Mr Chittick himself played cricket for the Valley, captaining the club’s second grade team to a premiership.
“I probably wasn't the best player - actually I was probably a better captain than a player – but reports that year were we were a well organised team,” he said.
“I might have been a bossy captain,” he laughed.
He said the Valley club lived up to our motto ‘Play the game and play it hard and fair’.
The Valley has one first grade premiership to its credit in 1971-72, when a 20-year-old Graeme Sawkins led the team to victory over Bomaderry in the semi-final and Cambetross in the grand final.
The book launch on October 13 is being promoted as a reunion weekend and is the chance for all former players and supporters to relive memories of the Kangaroo Valley Cricket Club.
Light refreshments will be provided and the book will be on sale for $20. For more information contact Garth Chittick on 4465 1367.
Robert Crawford
Robert Crawford is a senior journalist at the South Coast Register, for Australian Community Media . Everyone's got a story, what's yours? Email robert.crawford@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Robert Crawford is a senior journalist at the South Coast Register, for Australian Community Media . Everyone's got a story, what's yours? Email robert.crawford@austcommunitymedia.com.au
