The current President of the Barbados Cricket Association has long since hung up his cricket whites, but he has donned many administrative positions since, and he remains highly respected as a no-nonsense cricket leader. The appointment, albeit many years after he was at the peak of his prowess, gives recognition to an exceptional cricketer and begs the question, “Should the NCU have a Hall of Fame?”
Next year the Northern Cricket Union celebrates 125 years of existence, and it does it in a position of strength. What better way to mark those 125 years and to respect the contribution of many fine cricketers than to recognize the very special cricketers who have made our game famous? We live in an era of awards and there’s nothing wrong with cups and trophies that mark achievement. At one time the annual dinner and presentation of awards attracted over 300 people but in the past few years it has lost some of its appeal and numbers have significantly dropped. However, it remains the showpiece of the post-season cricket activities, and players and club officials should see it as an occasion to honour their peers and for the successful ones, a platform to receive the fruits of their success.
The value of a Hall of Fame is that it places the great performers on a pedestal in our archives, and it gives them everlasting recognition for their huge contribution to the local game. However, the problem with introducing a Hall of Fame in 2011 is that it needs to catch up very quickly, and with 125 years already devoid of recognition, then the first batch of awardees has to be large. Thereafter the awards should be the pinnacle of the annual dinner and the recipient should be able to receive the accolade in person. This would be a tangible way of recognizing previous generations and to build the status of our union. The Leinster Cricket Union already has its own Hall of Fame and in due course Cricket Ireland will follow a similar route. Right now it is Cricket NCU that should be looking at the concept and with the 125 years anniversary just around the corner, it would be a timely opportunity to mark the occasion.
Just what constitutes a Hall of Fame nomination is another story. Obviously it has to be someone whose contribution has been exceptional, not simply outstanding, but exceptional. Therein lies the true value of the scheme, as the recipients have to be players who were above the radar in performance and contribution. Every club will have its nominations, but the Hall of Fame recipients should be players whose performances have transcended club notoriety and who were widely acclaimed as the finest players in their time.
Players like Ivan Anderson, Simon Corlett, Stephen Warke, Paul Jackson, Garfield Harrison, and Dermott Monteith would be automatic selections in the minds of most people from our generation, and moving further back into history we could easily add the names of Tom McCloy, Noel Ferguson, Raymond Hunter, Stuart and Willie Pollock, James Macdonald, Billy McCleery, Willie and Oscar Andrews, Willie Turner, George Crothers and Jack Bowden. There are obviously others who have strong credentials, but as a first batch the NCU might consider making the initial awards to previous generations, and leave the current generation for future awards on an annual basis. There are certainly some strong contenders in the current era, not more deserving that Kyle McCallan whose contribution to NCU cricket and beyond has been huge.
Food for thought for the people who make these decisions.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
