Tasker Park Cricket Club Awards
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This document explains the rationale behind the naming of these prestigious Awards. The player of the year award is for the best player and there’s one for each team. There is also an award for outstanding effort for each team. The clubman award has been presented selectively at the President’s discretion for outstanding service to the club. This range of awards means that everyone has the ability to be recognised in a prestigious and formal manner each season.
The CJ Hurley Clubman Award
Tragedy strikes unannounced. Chris Hurley was a character like no other. A young kid cut down even before his prime. Those that played with Chris feel privileged to have known him, warts and all. With Chris, you got either one of two extremes. A gentle and happy fellow humbled by your presence, or a loud larrikin defying any challenge or taking on any opportunity to be a clown. Cricket wasn’t Chris’ forte; life was. He was run over by a train after a night on the drink. His death touched all those that knew him.
This Award is named in the memory of Chris Hurley because of his infectious nature. It is awarded to a player that makes a significant contribution to the club; some one who is a team player or contributes to the running of the club. Previous winners have all displayed these characteristics. These are the guys each team needs and misses when they are not there. Chris was happy to help out where needed. He attended training regularly and provided a relaxed and alternative vibe to the team. He played in 2004/05 where we only won 2 matches, and his antics were often a welcomed tonic. He has also been missed since he has not been there. ‘Peace out Chris’!
The Giannini Award for Player of the Year
Sam and Greg Giannini are both previous winners of the Player of the Year Award.
Sam was the first recipient of the Award in the club’s maiden season of 2000/01. He scored 316 runs at an average of 26.33, captured 23 wickets at an average of 13.74 and took 11 catches. He scored 54 not out in the second innings against Manihiki in the last round under great pressure in order to attain the vital bonus point that was needed to finish 4th and clinch a semi final spot. In his two seasons with the club he played 25 games, scored 582 runs at 23.28, captured 53 wickets at 13.98 and took 19 catches.
Sam’s contribution to the club extended to off the field. In the club’s first season, I was running solo, and Sam provided a wonderful support. He was someone who I bounced ideas off and I could count on for administrative assistance. He also capably captained the side on two occasions in my absence and introduced many fine players to our roster. Sam’s contribution is difficult to put in a few words, suffice to say that his passion and enthusiasm made him a senior and respected member of the club, and one that very few have or will replicate. He sadly retired after the club’s euphoric Grand Final win in 2001/02.
Greg first played in round 7 of the club’s first season. He was introduced by Sam and played 51 consecutive games for the club. Greg’s resume` reads like that of a champion. He scored a total of 1,858 runs at an average of 35.73 and took 87 catches. He is one of only a few players with a career batting average in the 30’s. His highlights include scoring 800 runs at 57.14 in the 2002/03 season. He won the C&WSCA’s batting Award and the Club’s Player of the Year Award for this achievement. This mammoth effort included 8 x 50’s and 1 x century. Greg was also an accomplished wicket keeper and in the season of 2001/02, he took an incredible 39 catches. In the season of 2003/04, he captained the club. In the 14 matches, the team won 9 (1 outright), drew 2 because of rain and lost only 3, taking out the minor premiership in the process. However, the semi-final was lost by just 3 runs in the first innings and 7 runs outright.
Greg’s contribution off the park was similar to Sam’s. He was reliable and always passionate about his cricket. He was happy to talk cricket constantly, whether it was tactics or administrative. Both Sam and Greg were great proponents of and attendees at training and their departure from the club has been sorely missed. In naming the Award, the task was simple; ‘The Giannini Award for Player of the Year’.
The Banboukjian Award for Outstanding Effort
This Award is for a player that performs consistently or demonstrates outstanding improvement. In naming this Award, again the task was simple. Tony Banboukjian started playing for the club in 2003/04. He was consistent with the bat and keeper gloves. Behind the stumps, he energised and boasted enthusiasm throughout an entire innings. With the bat, he could be devastating. He rarely scored runs slowly.
Tony Banboukjian is a proud man and takes his job as a team member seriously. He wanted to always perform and contribute, and his disappointment was obvious when he felt he hadn’t. Unbeknown to him, he always contributed by just being there. Tony was always positive and uplifting. He accommodated requests to bat in different positions, and was always happy and often insistent that the ‘other’ guys be given a go. His catch cry was, “Whatever you want me to do”; a true team man.
In the three seasons to 2005/06, Tony Banboukjian played 39 games. He scored 756 runs at an average of 20.43 and took 43 catches. He blazed some great scores including a 90, 69, 68 and a 62. In the season of 2005/06 he took 26 catches. But Tony’s real asset and major contribution to the club was his persona. He was glad to umpire, score, bat, bowl, or not to, if it was for the good of the team.
Tony made a welcomed comeback in the season of 2007/08 to help both teams out particularly in the field, further demonstrating his character and loyalty to his mates and the club. Winners of this prestigious Award should feel honoured and privileged, because in some small way, you have contributed in the way Tony Banboukjian has.
The Zaccheo Award for Player of the Year
Joe Zaccheo played 8 consecutive seasons and every match (109 consecutively) up until the end of the 2007/08 season. He was the founder of the club and won the Player of the Year award twice. The first was in the season of 2001/02 where he captained the side to the club’s maiden Minor Premiership and Premiership. He scored 432 runs at an average of 33.23. In the Grand Final, he scored 53 and 100 not out to set up a memorable and historic win. He also took 45 wickets at an average of 11.56, the clubs third ever best aggregate.
In 2005/06, Joe Zaccheo won the Player of the Year Award for the second time. He topped both the aggregate runs and wickets. He scored 430 runs (his second best ever aggregate) at an average of 33.08. He also took 34 wickets at an average of 18.00. He captained the side to his second Minor Premiership and the club’s third.
In 8 seasons Joe Zaccheo captained for 5 seasons, winning 2 Minor Premierships and one Premiership. He took the club to two consecutive Grand Finals. He has scored 2,794 runs at an average of 23.68 and taken 242 wickets at an average of 16.48. He took 50 wickets in a season (2002/03), has taken 6 wickets twice and ten wickets (5 in each innings) in a match once. He also took a Hat Trick in a famous outright win that was achieved in one day (of a two day game.
With the introduction of a second team to the club, it was just to have a Player of the Year Award for both teams. As Joe Zaccheo has been a previous winner twice and such a long serving and committed club person, this Award has been named after him.
The Nair Award for Outstanding Effort
This Award is for a player that performs consistently or demonstrates outstanding improvement. Deen Nair first player for the club in the famous 2001/02 season and was part of the Premiership winning team. Deen Nair made a blazing start for the club, smashing a quick fire 52 on debut. Deen was not able to achieve another half century until the 2007/08 season where he brought up his 1,000th run for the club with an 89.
Deen Nair has also brought up 50 wickets for the club. He took 22 wickets in his first season and has always chipped in. In 7 seasons, Deen has taken 7 catches for the club. Though some of these statistics don’t seem flattering, it demonstrates this; Deen Nair is all heart, he loves cricket, and loves playing with his mates and for the club. Deen has never given up, and in 2007/08 he was rewarded by scoring 250 runs at an average of 25.00, and he also took 12 wickets. He is only the second player to have taken 50 wickets and scored 1,000 runs for the club.
Deen Nair has struggled with injury for most of his time at the club, but has kept coming back for more. For many seasons, he opened the batting. Not because he wanted to, but because the team needed him to. His injuries have prevented him from bowling to his ability, but he always gives 100% when he does. Deen Nair is not about statistical excellence, he’s about passion, team spirit and he always puts in an Outstanding Effort. Congratulations to Deen Nair for having this award named after him, and to all future winners of this award, for you to have put in an Outstanding Effort.