Top of the concerns remains the alarming decline in numbers while the bad weather during the season made life very difficult for hard-working Appointments Secretary Ian Houston and his committee.
On the positive side there is much to admire about the NIACUS these days and the way they have embraced a changing cricket world. Training throughout the year has produced excellent umpires and this has been reflected in appointments at international tournaments all over the world. At the top of the list Mark Hawthorne and Richard Smith officiated at the Under 19 World Cup in Australia and Keith Smith, Alex Adams, Alan Neill, Michael Ross, Noel McCarey, and Trevor Magee all officiated at international level. Trevor is now domiciled in England, but he is also to be commended for his first appointment as a Tournament Referee. And we should never forget the scorers, not least the inimitable Dr. Murray Power who scored at the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. Quite simply these are outstanding achievements and worthy of the highest praise.
Following in their path is surely Jareth McCready the 2012 winner of the Trevor Henry Bursary, who was elevated to the ICC Europe List and seems destined for a bright future.
The highs and lows of a busy season are well documented in the Hon. Sec’s Report. Chairman Alan Neill has been an inspirational leader although his biggest disappointment was narrowly losing out to Leinster in the White Stick Trophy. Alex Adams continues to produce a vibrant website, Alan Chambers excels as Editor of “Follow On” and Appointments Secretary Ian Houston has been a terrific servant of local cricket in the most trying of circumstances. Only five matches went without officials-an outstanding statistic despite the decline in numbers. The support of good sportsmanship through the Fair Play Award was much appreciated throughout cricket and Academy won the accolade in 2012. The club received the trophy at the NCU Annual Dinner. Umpire exchanges flourished with Scotland and the Isle of Man joining Leinster and the North-West in the itinerary.
The Association superbly organized the IACUS Annual Conference at the Stormont Hotel and also hosted their Annual Dinner at their Stormont HQ where Guest Speaker Kyle McCallan and Andy Kennedy provided superb entertainment. The Chairman’s Award for 2012 went to the hard-working Noel McCarey, and no better man deserved it than the Saintfield stalwart. In addition monthly meetings were well attended and Murray Power won the Christmas Quiz yet again.
The Executive Committee works tirelessly for cricket and people like Paddy O’Hara, John Boomer and Training Officer Keith Smith add a wealth of experience and expertise across a wide range of topics. This is a vibrant sector of local cricket and all that is needed to boost it remains a few more umpires and scorers. Clubs must wake up and smell the roses!
Finally, hearty congratulations to Dr. Murray Power who was elected a Life Member of the Association in recognition of sterling service over many years and many sectors of cricket. There is nobody more worthy of the honour.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
