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The Mazenod Old Collegians Cricket Club was formed in 1974 by then Principal of the College, Fr Kevin Davine. He foresaw that the friendships of school days could be further developed in Old Collegians Associations - with the College’s main oval becoming the club’s home ground – and thankfully his vision laid the foundation for our club today.
In its inaugural year, the Mazenod Old Collegians Cricket Club entered two senior teams and one junior team in the Oakleigh District Cricket Association. The club now fields four senior teams, two junior teams and three veteran sides made up of club legends and former players of the club.
The Mazenod Old Collegians Cricket Club joined the O.D.C.A. in 1974 with an ‘E’ Grade and ‘F’ grade side. Under the Presidency of Fr Kevin Davine, Mazenod in its debut season managed to win the ‘E’ grade shield with Paul Hansen being named Club Champion. Mazenod still under the Presidency of Fr Kevin Davine was promoted to ‘D’ grade and in its second season managed to win the ‘E’ grade shield again and were also ‘D’ grade runners-up. 1975’s Club Champion was James Brown and Fr Kevin Davine was named Mazenod’s first life member.
There was no doubt that Mazenod Old Collegians Cricket Club had successfully emerged as a cricket power in the O.D.C.A’s lower grades and was on its way up the grades. The 1976-77 season proved disappointing to new President Peter McCormack as Mazenod failed to secure a senior premiership, yet the future looked bright as up and coming stars were being groomed in the U/14 premiership winning side. Gerry Waite won the club championship award in this season.
Not to be denied President Peter McCormack led his club to a ‘C’ premiership and the ‘D’ graders were made runners-up due to a cricket time regulation, in the 1977/78 season. The juniors also managed to secure the U/16 shield and many of the juniors were also dominating senior grades, as was shown by the club champion Andrew Whitmore.
The 1978/79 season under Mark Steele’s Presidency proved to be in the early years one of Mazenod’s brightest year with both ‘B’ and ‘C’ grade shields being won and the juniors finishing runners-up. Andrew Miller, one of the clubs biggest names, won the club championship and the future looked promising with a side in ‘A’ reserve. It seemed only a matter of time until Mazenod made it into A1 and was winning the highest honors in the O.D.C.A. Yet Mazenod was to learn that this was not to be.
Adrian Williams became President in the 1979-80 season and the senior grades had no success, while the U/16’s were runners up for the second year in a row. Steve McLeod, one of the clubs most inspiring juniors, became an enigma as a cricketer by winning the club champion award.
After that poor season Mazenod Old Collegians Cricket Club found itself in a shambles with no administration and no finances. Many players had left the club and Mazenod was at its lowest ebb. It was then that Andrew McCormack (President), Michael Cowan (Secretary), and Shane Regan (Treasurer) took the reigns and Mazenod has never looked back. These three lead the club for several seasons and took the club to new heights. The 1980/81 season saw the A2 side washed out of the finals series after being in an unbeatable position while the juniors were runners up for the third time in succession. Steven Davies was the Club Champion for the 1980/81 season.
In the 1981/82 season Mazenod Old Collegians Cricket Club was re-establishing a financial base and a Committee framework, lead by the previous trio which would carry the club ad infinitum, this year of growth showed no results on the field as no sides made the finals except for the juniors, which finally won that elusive shield. David Knox was the Club Champion during this year. The lack of success of the last few seasons was just the spur needed by the club with its new operational administrative unit, to reap the rewards of hard work.
These rewards in season 1982/83 were an A2 Premiership, a ‘B’ grade finals berth, an ‘E’ grade which finished fifth but provided the pasture for growth of young players and a strong junior side which unfortunately were runners up again. The late Ray Gibbs won the club champion award this year.
The club would now be playing in the paramount grade of the O.D.C.A. competition. A club which in merely nine years had clawed its way from ‘F’ to ‘A’ grades using pure talent and an unrivalled will to win to gain success.
The club continued to grow through the mid eighties and it wasn’t long before the club was fielding a fourth senior side. Whilst Premiership success was not being achieved, the foundations were being laid for the club to become the dominate club of the O.D.C.A.
In Season 1988/1989 the club appointed Michael Brown as Captain Coach. Michael had been around the club in the early days of the club and his return as Captain Coach was just the catalyst the club needed for success. Combining with President Fr Kevin Davine, who had returned for a second stint as President, this season the club went undefeated throughout the season to capture the A1 Premiership.
The following season the club went back to back winning the A1 Premiership again and Mazenod was clearly the dominant club in the competition. The club had been built of the backbone of Mazenod school friendships, and the camaraderie and mate ship formed in these years, are still prevalent today.
After two years in charge Michael Brown stepped aside and Alan McAlister was appointed as Captain Coach. The side went extremely close to winning a third successive A1 Premiership, but unfortunately fell just short in the Grand Final. However another Premiership was to come Mazenod’s way with the Fourth XI winning, lead by Mick Riley the D1 Premiership.
A move was soon made to the Box Hill Reporter where again the Club moved steadily through the grades. The juniors, under the guidance of Tony Paravicini and Jeremy ‘Huggy’ Nugara would again set the tone for the club with the Under 14’s winning the Premiership in 1993/94.
A further Premiership would follow as the Third XI broke a fifteen year drought when they won the flag in 1994/95.
The club’s next Premiership would come in 1998/99, when the 1st XI, under the guidance of Richard Rymarz and Mark Murray won the A1 Premiership. As a result of the win the club was promoted to the premier Shield Grade of the Box Hill Reporter Competition.
Over the coming years the club would regularly play off in finals yet could not capture a flag, despite some very narrow finals losses. The camaraderie and mate ship remained intact and the foundation was again being laid for future years.
A big change came to Mazenod College and also the club in Season 2001/02 under the guidance of new President Patrick Thompson. Mazenod would enter a new era with the club’s home ground being converted to a Turf wicket and the First and Second XI’s playing turf cricket. This saw Mazenod Old Collegians move competitions to the Eastern Cricket Association (ECA), the largest cricket competition in Victoria.
The turf wicket took some adapting too as a result of many players growing up on Synthetic wickets, however once again the Premiership era in a new association would start with the juniors. The Under 14’s coached by Ivan Britto would take out the Under 14 Premiership in the club’s inaugural year in the ECA. It paved the way for many of the players to go on and play senior cricket and some 7 years later, see many of them become senior and junior Premiership players.
In season 2003/04 the club celebrated its 30th Year, which was marked by a reunion ball that saw players from all over the state and country make efforts to be one of the 130 people in attendance. This celebration sparked a re-birth of sorts within the club as many past players returned to the club and even those that couldn’t make the evening returning to get involved in the club again.
Season 2003/04 also saw the club’s first senior ECA Premiership, with the Second XI winning the E Turf flag lead by Captain Jeremy ’Huggy’ Nugara, who played in his first Premiership at the club after several Grand Final losses. The First XI under the leadership of Rob Cincotta would make the Grand Final and be promoted to B Grade, but unfortunately could not win the big game.
Following the success of the previous season and 30 year reunion, the club would now have a fifth side in operation in 2004/05 with the club entering a team in the Veteran’s competition. The Veterans has been a big success since its formation and as well as success on field, has also seen may club legends return and has worked to enhance the family atmosphere at the club. This season also saw Mick Le Grand take over the reigns as President from Patrick Thompson.
An era of success began in the 2006/07 season. With the appointment of a Michael Hancock as Captain Coach, the recent development of the clubrooms and a generally infectious atmosphere, 2006/07 saw five of a possible six senior sides playing finals, four of which went on to play in Grand Finals and two sides, the First XI and Veterans D Grade – winning premierships. The First XI would now be promoted into A Grade.
2007/2008 was a remarkable year and undoubtedly the most successful in the clubs history which brought a great level of excitement to the club. A hugely successful season would see the club field eight sides (four senior, three veterans and a junior side). Of these eight sides, seven would play off in finals with the Second XI, Third XI and Veterans A & C sides going on to win Premierships. An amazing achievement to win four Premierships in one season and to have so many players experience the joys of victory in the previous few seasons.
The club continued to move forward and in 2008/2009 fielded a record nine sides, with a second junior side taking the field.
More success was to follow in the 2008/2009 season with the Fourth XI winning a Premiership, there first in 18 years. This result meant that all four senior sides (made up of 41 different players) had played in a Premiership in the last three seasons at the club. Success would also be repeated in the Veterans Competition with the Mazenod Blues, again lead by Gerard Noone, completing a hat trick of Premiership wins and securing the B Grade Veterans Premiership and continuing Mazenod’s domination of Veterans cricket.
Throughout its’ brief involvement with the ECA, the club’s senior teams – including three veteran teams – have been regular finals participants winning five senior, four veterans and one junior premiership. Undoubtedly the most successful period in the clubs history.
This club is the Mazenod Old Collegians Cricket Club.
Established: 1974 / 1975
Premierships:
1974/1975: E Grade (1st XI)
F Grade (2nd XI)
1975/1976: E Grade (2nd XI)
1976/1977: Under 14’s
1977/1978: C Grade (1st XI)
Under 16’s
1978/1979: B Grade (1st XI)
C Grade (2nd XI)
1979/1980: F Grade (3rd XI)
1982/1983: A2 (1st XI)
1988/1989: A1 (1st XI)
1989/1990: A1 (1st XI)
1990/1991: D Grade (4th XI)
1993/1994: Under 14’s
1994/1995: B2 (3rd XI)
1998/1999: A1 (1st XI)
2001/2002: Under 14’s
2003/2004: E Turf (2nd XI)
2006/2007: B Turf (1st XI)
D Vets
2007/2008: C Turf (2nd XI)
B1 (3rd XI)
A Vets
C Vets
2008/2009: C1 (4th XI)
B Vets
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