THERE\u2019s none adjudged better. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Ringwood & District Cricket Association is beaming after being awarded Victorian Community Cricket Association of the Year for 2022-23 at the recent Cricket Victoria Community Cricket Awards. <\/p>\n
The annual event celebrates \u201ccontributions which grow the game at all levels through schools, clubs and by highlighting exceptional service to key areas of participation\u201d according to Cricket Victoria. <\/p>\n
RDCA chief Michael Finn said the honour was a \u201cwonderful recognition to the tireless contributions of so many volunteers who dedicate themselves in support of their local communities through cricket.\u201d <\/p>\n
He said the RDCA prided itself on being a community leader in Victorian cricket, highlighting the launch of the state\u2019s first localised women\u2019s program more than two years ago. <\/p>\n
It saved a host of clubs withdrawing teams due to heavy travel times in previous competitions, while also \u201cplanting a local pathway\u201d for junior girls to graduate to the senior ranks. <\/p>\n
This season comprised three senior grades with 34 teams across 32 clubs, with up to 40 teams expected in 2023-24. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe were the first association in Victoria that was given that opportunity by Cricket Victoria to launch its own localised (women\u2019s) comp,\u201d Finn said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s normally done through another organisation and the problem that we solved was when you start talking about women\u2019s, and it\u2019s the same for all-abilities, they\u2019re wonderful competitions that have been around for a long time, but they run the same as Subbies and Premier \u2013 they\u2019re not localised. <\/p>\n
\u201cPeople were falling out the back of those competitions left, right and centre, not because they didn\u2019t want to play, but the travel time was horrendous. <\/p>\n
\u201cI lobbied (Cricket Victoria) for 18 months because we had several clubs participating but were also privately on the verge of just pulling out \u2026 they wanted to play but couldn\u2019t afford the travel.\u201d <\/p>\n
The RDCA boss declared a localised all-abilities comp was on the radar following the success of the women\u2019s model. <\/p>\n
\u201cNow that we\u2019ve been able to create a model for the women\u2019s, I want to turn our attention and powers to delivering that for the all-abilities kids and adults \u2013 we have quite a few in the RDCA that have represented Australia,\u201d Finn said. <\/p>\n
Finn made special mention of the RDCA\u2019s expansion in 2020 as a point of pride, when clubs unanimously voted in favour of a Yarra Valley Cricket Association merger<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cWe saved eight clubs from basically going extinct, and collectively there\u2019s hundreds of years of history on honour boards that we were determined not to let go by the wayside,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n \u201cWe were big enough and robust enough to step in and make sure we could come in and play our part.\u201d <\/p>\n A drive to improve members\u2019 mental health and wellbeing has also been front of mind, with a mid-week over-40s big bash comp launched some four years ago to \u201cgreat success\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cWe partnered with Beyond Blue because the depression and suicide rates amongst men between 40 and 55 (is) the highest percentile for those people, and part of the reason why we did it was we wanted to get blokes off the couch and get them back with their mates,\u201d Finn said. <\/p>\n \u201cIn relation to community sport, the sport really is the vehicle but the real thing now is local sporting clubs aren\u2019t sporting clubs anymore \u2013 they\u2019ve become micro community hubs \u2026 it\u2019s so much more than sport.\u201d <\/p>\n Finn said the honour won among 59 active community cricket associations across the state was a credit to those within the RDCA\u2019s 58 clubs and the near-5000 participants. <\/p>\n \u201cThis is everyone\u2019s award in the sense that I\u2019m the figurehead but I stand on the shoulders of multiple volunteers and committees who have worked tirelessly.\u201d <\/p>\n Originally published as RDCA wins Victorian Community Cricket Association of the Year for 2022-23<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n