A New Era

The Kiama Cricket Club embarks on a new era on Sunday, with the first official training session under new captain/coach Matt Meurant taking place. At least, it is to be hoped that it is a new era. A successful era. Kiama are due for one.

In recent years, Kiama have had a number of “new era's”. Theoretically we have had five new era's since the Club re-emerged into the 1st Grade competition in 1999-2000. And that is in just 6 seasons! I guess that is just the way the Cavaliers are.
It has not been through a lack of trying, of course. The Club knows exactly how important stability is in regards to success. During Kiama's 'Golden Age' from 1966-1973, the captain remained the same (Les Jones), and the basis of the team remained the same. It is important to have a figurehead, respected by those in the Club, at the helm for a lengthy period of time, in order to gain the maximum benefit for all concerned. Kiama's problem in recent times has been that the change of seasons has invariably brought a change of personnel, and with it a change of tact. What the Club has sought has been stability at the top, and success on the field.

In 1999-2000, the Club returned to 1st Grade after a self-imposed two year absence ("new era!"). Gary Koks, who had been in charge of the 2nd Grade side in 1998/99, retained the job in 1999/2000 in 1st Grade, with Danny Sullivan acting as vice-captain. There was no official Club coach. Although 1st Grade struggled, and finished at the foot of the table, a number of players began their 1st Grade careers. 2nd Grade won the premiership, as did 4th Grade, while 3rd Grade made the semi-finals. 2nd Grade's average age was just 19, 1st Grade's just 21. Most of the premiership winning Under 16's side had played 1st or 2nd Grade all season.

For the following two years, the Club was led by co-captains, Mark Brockman and Danny Sullivan, with Mark taking a serious role in coaching the Club (“new era!”). In both seasons, the Club finished in fifth in 1st Grade, which was a wonderful achievement in itself, but without ever threatening to reach the top four. The team would regularly either bat well, and set good targets, or bowl well, and restrict opposition to gettable targets, without being able to put the two together in the same match. The conclusion of the 2001-02 season saw great hope for what the next season would bring.

Danny Sullivan took over the sole reigns in 2002-03 (“new era!”), and so began a season where few things appeared to go to plan. For six months, the Club was rife with unsettling talking behind people's backs, injuries to key players, including Danny himself, poor attitudes and poorer performances for which people were always looking for excuses, and eventually a season where all but 3rd Grade failed miserably to be competitive on a regular basis. In a season that was supposed to be a new era, it finished as a farce. There was a lack of communication – and understanding – between all facets of the Club.

For season 2003/04, Randall Starr was appointed as captain/coach, with an aim to be involved for many years to come (“new era!”). Along with the arrival of proven wicket-taker Scott Cox, and a whole bunch of young kids coming through the grades, the future looked as bright as it could possibly be. 1st Grade reached the finals for the first time in a decade, as well as making the finals of the statewide Country Cup, while 2nds and 3rds also had strong seasons. More junior players were proving themselves at a higher level, and Club spirit was at record levels.
The only downside occurred when Randall announced that he was moving to the A.C.T, and would be unable to continue with the Club.

2004-05 arrived, with Scott Cox taking over the captaincy reigns of 1sts (“new era!”). Again, as there had been two years earlier, there was a lot of negative talk going on behind people's backs, which was contributing to problems within the Club. 1sts slumped badly, on the back of an inability to put runs on the board, and finished out of the finals. Both 2nds and 3rds made the finals, but should have done better after seasons that finished unfulfilled. By Presentation Night, it was obvious that half a dozen of the Club's best players would be moving on in the off-season, leaving a void that would be difficult to fill in the interim.

And so – this weekend...a new era begins!

It is to the Club's credit that a seasoned captain/coach has been found and appointed. No doubt Matt will imprint his own style on the Club. There is little doubt that the culture of the Club will change because of his appointment. It is important that the style and flamboyance of the Cavaliers can merge within the boundaries that Matt will set in order to bring success to the Club again. Some may baulk at this, as some have done so in the past with other people – but to be successful, you must institute a winning culture. At present, Kiama does not have that, and Matt will be looking to instill it.

The new era begins. May it be a long and successful one!