The Flinders University Cricket Club (The FUCC) was formed in 1966 (first season 1966/67) and has fielded teams in both the Adelaide Turf Cricket Association (ATCA) and the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA). From 1966/67 to 1982/83, teams were fielded in both the SACA and ATCA, then just SACA from 1983/84 to 1990/91 and since 1991/92 we have participated solely in the ATCA. Whilst often
competitive, finals appearances were rare in the SACA grades and the clubs 3 premierships prior to 1991/92 were from our lower grades that competed in the ATCA. The departure from SACA to fielding all our teams in the ATCA from 1991/92 lifted the restriction of only students and post graduates being able to play for the club. This opened the door for more experienced and cricket hardened players to come and join the FUCC (whilst continuing to attract students). We worked our way from our initial ATCA entry point of A3 in 1991/92 to A1 Premier Grade in 1995/96 (after the 1994/95 A2 flag). Relegation occurred after the 1999/2000 season but we won the 2000/01 A2 flag and went straight back to A1 Premier in 2001/02 where we had the clubs highest ever ATCA placing by finishing 4th after a semi-final loss to the powerful Grange Cricket Club. Our next 2 seasons were poor and we dropped down to A3 for the 2004/05 season. A new breed of young players ensured we only hung around in A3 for one year taking out the flag against Kilburn at Walkerville on a glorious weekend. From 2005/06 we have competed consistently in A2 and have threatened finals in most seasons without finishing higher than 5th. We have however enjoyed regular finals appearances for our B grade & limited over side during this time and the club has earn't a strong reputation in the ATCA of always giving a good account ourselves throughout all grades. We currently field 3 teams (1 who plays 2-day cricket & 2 limited overs team) and over our history we have always fielded no less than 3 teams. The last 20 years have easily been the FUCC’s most successful, with regular finals and grand final appearances throughout the grades. This has resulted in 3 A grade premierships (A2 in 1994/95, 2000/2001 & A3 in 2004/05), 1 B grade (B1 in 1995/96) and 3 One Day Grand Final victories in 7 years (LO.D in 2008/09 LOC in 2012/13 LOB in 2014/15 certainly a successful era for Rusty and the boys. The following is part of a piece penned by Life Member, Keith Seidel.
“Many players and characters have graced the Flinders Ovals with their exploits, names consigned to history by the unavoidably transient of student sporting clubs. At times there has been controversy but the history of the club is of enjoyment and acceptance that the members are there to play cricket. The cliques that dominate many clubs have rarely surfaced at this great club, and any such indications have been squashed quickly”. These words best sum up our club as our ethos is to not take ourselves too seriously and enjoy our cricket to the fullest. Sure, we play to win and we will take any success that comes our way, but there is a certain uniqueness about playing for the FUCC’s and I hope all players, old and new, continue to enjoy their time with the club.
