About us
How it all Started
Games between teams of more mature cricketers have been occurring for many years. Some ‘senior’ games started on the Central Coast of NSW from the mid-1980s and there was even the odd match against touring English, Welsh and Canadian teams. Challenge matches between teams of Sydney and Melbourne teams consisting of only Over 60-year-old players can be traced back to April 2005 and 2006.
These games were such a great success that an embryonic Over 60s National Champioxnship took place in Canberra in November 2006. It was followed by another Championship in Melbourne in November 2007. These two National Championships laid the platform for annual National Over 60s Championships for many teams from all Australian states.
In addition, from 2008 ‘State of Origin’ matches have been played annually against Queensland, initially involving O60s, and now involving all age groups.
NSW Over 60’s Victoria 6 April, 2005
Back Row - L to R: Ken Campbell, Howard Rea, K. Levell, D. Sheil, Rick Glover, P. Morris, Peter Richardson (deceased).
Front Row - L to R: Bobby Hooke, Ralph Sadler, Bruce McNaught, Richard Christian, Col Dennis.
Our Growth
It soon came apparent that Veterans Cricket was having wide appeal to many age groups across NSW.
Regions were formed within NSW and friendly matches ensued between them, mostly at the O60s level
State Competitions were introduced involving many NSW Regional coming together to be crowned champions. There were multiple divisions to cater for players with different skill sets, ability and fitness levels covering competitiveness to participative
A few years ago, the O50s age group was formed, and it is now an active part of the Association
The Over 60s players aged and became 70+. They still wanted to play. This led to the formation of the O70s age group
As the numbers grew there were more than could participate in a State competition so 5 year age groups were introduce at 55 and 65
Two and three day Carnivals (social events) were introduced for Regions to attend and play against each other and give more players greater opportunity to participate. Short intrastate tours became common to enable one Regions to play against others that were too far away for daily travel
In 2022 the Women joined VCNSW when they first put teams into the Women O40s Nationals. They have now grown to over 100 members. The next need will be to provide intrastate cricket and to have O50s Nationals
In 2023 the O40s Men joined VCNSW. They are now have their own State and National Competitions and are going from strength to strength
In 2023 the O75s were also formed. By using adapted rules, players who thought that they are not fit enough to play, can still participate
Veterans cricket is also played at international level with Australian O40s, O50s, O60s and O70s teams touring overseas and playing visiting teams. There are also World Cups, and NSW veterans have excellent representation
First match ever - NSW 60s vs VIC 60s 6th April 2005
An exhaustive search in 2020 of score-sheets, photographs and the record of the inaugural meeting, produced the following list of 33 Foundation Players. VCNSW is proud to recognise and congratulate these players, shown here in alphabetical order, and noting special thanks to Kevin Finlay and Ken Campbell for their efforts in finding several historical documents:
Phil Allen, Graeme Andrews, Brian Breakspear, Ken Campbell, Michael Cashman, Richard Christen, Doug Crowell, Col Dennis (deceased), John Dettman, Kevin Finlay, John Fogarty, Richard Glover, Stirling Hamman, Len Hardy, Bob Hook, Gordon Ives, Alf James, Terry Kniepp, Mark Levett, Gil McGrath, John McInnes, Bruce McNaught, Jeff Mitchell, Kevin Pike, John Pym, Richard Pym, Howard Reay, Peter Richardson (deceased), Bill Sadler, Ralph Sadler, Norm Stanton, Doug Truman and Ralph Weatherby.
VCNSW Structure
In 2023 VCNSW restructured as follows:
Board (8 members)
Associates (5 members)
Regional Affiliates (19 members)
Individual Members
The Board consists of a Chairperson, Administration Director, Finance Director and the Chairpersons of the 5 Associates.
Each Associate represents an age/gender group, O40s, O50s, O60s, O70s and Women and have their own Committees to run events and provide development for whom they represent
Regional Affiliates are all incorporated associations representing their own NSW Region
Individual Players register with their Regional Affiliate and VCNSW each year