1988 | Brian Miller | Brian was the main organiser of the junior program throughout the 1980’s and his work was vital to the founding of Helena Valley Cricket Club and the move to establish senior teams. He was the first President of HVCC and served for 5 years in two separate terms in the role, as well as serving one year as Treasurer. His contributions to the club’s survival cannot be underestimated. |
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1996 | Tony Cuccaro | The captain of the first HVCC Premiership team in 1987, Tony was a player in the club’s first ever senior match and is the current games record holder with over 390 matches at the time of writing. Tony has held various positions at the club, including President (2 years), Vice President (1 year) and Secretary (4 years). He was integral to the addition of senior teams to the club in 1985, and was the driving force in the club’s incorporation in 2004, writing the new constitution. Tony has also made unstinting efforts over almost 30 years to improve club facilities at Boya Oval. |
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1998 | Mal Lockyer | Mal joined 1stgrade in 1987/88 and is a former captain, Club Champion (1990/91, 1991/92), President (2 years) and sponsor of the club. A skilful all-rounder, Mal was selected to the 20thanniversary 1stXII team. When the team was selected in 2005, his 3380 runs placed him first all-time in runs scored for the club and his 249 wickets were enough to place him third in that category. His determination and application is one of the key reasons the club survived through difficult times in the mid-nineties. |
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2000 | Robert Legge | Bob served as the club statistician for 16 seasons and also managed the club equipment during this time. Excellent records survive for all the years Bob was in charge of stats, and his attention to detail means that all of the club’s statistics going back to the first game in 1985 are available for review, as well as extensive records of meetings and events. Bob’s attention to detail has allowed the history of HVCC to influence even the club’s newest players. |
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2005 | Gary Benfield | A long-serving treasurer (4 years), Secretary (3 years) and Vice President of the club, Gary Benfield exemplifies the community ethos of local cricket as a dedicated volunteer for Helena Valley. With over 200 games under his belt, Gary was the 78th1stXI player for the club and a member of the 1994/95 C-grade Premiership team and in recent years has provided great support to the club’s one-day sides. |
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2006 | Patrick Shaw | The 33rd1stXI player, Patrick Shaw’s dedication to Helena Valley Cricket Club over more than 20 years has been vital to the club’s strong culture. A tireless volunteer and calming influence, ‘Demon’ has played 234 times for the club and been a handy contributor with bat and ball, but it is Pat’s unassuming work behind the scenes which has set him apart as a great clubman and a deserving life member. |
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2009 | Mark Jones | Former President of the club (2003-2005) and long-serving captain of several grades, Mark Jones is the current Vice President and has served 8 years in the role over two periods. Mark’s considered advice has guided the club during difficult decisions over many years. A player in the club’s first senior match and Premiership, Mark is third in the all-time games played list with over 300 matches and sits second all-time in wickets with over 450. Mark was also selected as a player in the 20thanniversary 1stXII team. |
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| Darren March | With 538 wickets at the time of writing, Darren March is the all-time leading wicket taker at the club and second in all-time matches with over 330 games. A player in the club’s first match, Darren is also the longest serving top grade captain, having led the club for 6 seasons in three different stints and captained the club to a famous outright victory in the 2005/06 B-grade Grand Final. Having held roles as Vice President and Secretary, Darren also served as club statistician for 10 years from 2001 to 2011 and is a member of the 20thanniversary 1stXII team. |
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2011 | Jeffrey Behrend | A consummate clubman, Jeff Behrend served as President from 2000-2003 and held board positions with the Swan and Helena District Cricket Association over many years, representing HVCC’s interests at the association level. Jeff has been a key volunteer at the club for many seasons, working behind the bar and running fundraising operations, while contributing Thursday night dinners from his own pocket on a regular basis. A genius in the art of raffle winning, Jeff played 100 games for the club and was the 97thfirst XI player to represent the club. |
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2013 | Allan Scroop | Allan Scroop is a member of the 20thanniversary 1stXII team and a two-time Club Champion. He sits second all-time in runs for the club with over 4400 and scored the club’s first century in 1985. Currently in his 9thyear as President, Allan has been a tireless worker for the club since returning in the early 2000’s, managing the bar with dedication and demanding high standards from players of all grades. His work, along with the rest of the committee, in cementing Helena Valley as a stable club beyond the boundary has been vitally important. |
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2014 | Mark Klashorst | HVCC’s greatest run scorer, Mark Klashorst is also a member of the 20thAnniversary 1stXII. At the time of his elevation to life member, Klash had contributed over 6000 runs at an average of 34, 350 wickets @ 13.5 and over 100 catches in nearly 200 matches with the club. His six Club Championships, including three in a row between 2000 and 2003, is a record not likely to be broken for many years. Mark’s dogged batting and dangerous leg spinners form only a small part of his contribution to HVCC. His sponsorship of the club, coaching and passion for the club’s culture make him a deserving Life Member. |
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2017 | Keith Worsley | Keith is a true all-rounder of the Club. Having been a premiership captain, Treasurer, Statistician, sponsor and volunteer over 20 plus years at the Club. At the time of writing, Keith is the 5thhighest games player, is 4thall-time in runs, and second all-time in dismissals with 309. Keith’s unassuming work in the background to assist the committee, organise teams and maintain the club’s statistics are the type of work the club could not function without. Rarely acknowledged, Keith is nevertheless a powerhouse of the Helena Valley Cricket Club and a worthy Life Member. |
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2018 | Colin March | Colin was the inaugural Club Champion in 1985/86 and won the award again in 2009/10 – becoming one of only 8 players to win the award multiple times. Having played over 200 games, Colin has amassed over 400 wickets and sits 4thall-time at the time of writing. He was named in the HVCC 20thAnniversary 1stXII and played in five of the club’s nine premierships. Colin’s record marks him out as one of the great players to have played for the club and mean his life membership is well deserved. |
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2019 | Adam Johnson | Adam ‘Juice’ Johnson has played exactly 200 games after debuting in 2001 as the 133rdtop grade player in the club’s history. Juice has served the club with distinction over many seasons and is 14thoverall in both runs (3391) and points (4831). His underrated bowling and reliable close catching made him a useful player in all sides. His quality as a batsman was there for all to see, and he won the 05/06 batting award. His ability to handle genuine fast bowling was well respected by all at the club. Juice always played in the top-grade He served as a committee member over many years and was always willing to help the club when called upon. Without injuries, it is likely that Juice would still be playing for the club now, but all those who played with him understand what an important player and member he has been for the club over almost 20 years. |
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| Glenn Downing | Glenn is one of the finest players in the history of the club and has been a club champion, a leading run scorer and has 7 times had the most dismissals in a season. Debuting in 2000, Glenn has played 219 matches, which places him 9thall time. Glenn sits 5thall time in runs, with 4529. He is 7thall time in points, with 8139. Glenn was also named as the wicketkeeper in the 20thAnniversary Team. His 351 dismissals place him first overall in dismissals for the club and is undoubtedly the finest wicketkeeper to have played for the club. His work up at the stumps has been a joy to watch for all those with the privilege to play alongside him. Glenn’s aggressive batting and skilful keeping have been a joy to watch for his teammates and while his reserved manner means he slips under the radar, we are lucky to have had a player of his quality at the club for such a long period of time. |
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2020 | Michael Cuccaro | Michael is surely one of the club’s most loyal servants and most important members. After debuting in 2000 Michael has played 240 times for Helena Valley at the time of writing, placing him 7thoverall in terms of games played. He has taken 256 wickets across his career, placing 8thoverall in wickets. Michael has previously served as Vice-President, and has now served 11 consecutive seasons as Treasurer, making him the longest serving treasurer in the history of the club. As Treasurer, Michael has provided invaluable stability on the committee and has been a constant in the position who could be relied upon to have the club ready for every event and occasion. Michael is a quiet clubman, preferring to do his work with a minimum of fuss, and rarely seeking out assistance as he goes about his business. Michael has been happy to watch on more in recent seasons, but can always be relied upon to play if necessary, his bowling is often effective and difficult to get away. Sporting clubs survive on the strength of contributions from volunteers. This club should hold a strong debt of gratitude for the work of one of its dedicated volunteers and administrators, Michael Cuccaro. |
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| Ben Keeler | Ben debuted in the 2004/05 season and has now played 226 games for the club, 10thall time. His list of sporting achievements are best listed in dot points: - Five club championships – 2ndall time
- 468 wickets – 3rdall time, taken at 16.76
- 21 five wicket hauls – 1stall time
- Best bowling of 9/62 – best in club history
- 8 times club leading wicket taker
- 154 catches – 1stamong non-wicketkeepers and 4thoverall for dismissals
- 7 times club fielding award winner
- 3149 runs – 15thall time with 2 centuries
- 9369 club champion points – 4thall time
- 41.46 points per game – 4thall time
- Association Champion
- Association Best and Fairest
- Longest stint as first grade captain – 5 seasons
- Two-day, one-day and 20/20 premiership player
He was a key player and either captain or vice-captain throughout the club’s long period of high performance in 1stgrade and some of his individual performances have been remarkable. Ben’s out-fielding and catching have been a joy to watch for 15 years. His leadership from the front opening the bowling so often led to early breakthroughs. With the bat, Ben has also produced some incredible innings, early in his career from down the order, but later compiling an incredible season as an attacking opening batsman. Clearly one of the greatest players in the club’s history and very much its most spectacular player, Ben’s ability and desire to win have made him an all-time great player, perhaps the most crucial in the club’s ascent to first grade and its sustained period as a quality first grade side in a highly competitive era. |