25/08/2026
Outgoing President and Vice President - Huge thanks to Nick and Darcy who both recently advised they are moving to Melbourne and will be unable to perform their Executive roles. Darcy has provided more than a decade of service as Vice President, Player, groundkeeper to name a few and Nick has been a fantastic club person and player since joining a number of years ago, stepping up as president in his final year. Both will stay involved with the club, Darcy as committee member and Nick has promised to come back and play a few games!
Nick doesn't do photos but has lifted the standard of the President's report...
-Outgoing Presidents Report-
"On the back of a successful 2024/25 season, 2025/26 presented a number of challenges, but also offered plenty to celebrate both on and off the field. Castlemaine and its surrounds represent a small catchment with a high concentration of cricket clubs, and CUCC has continually punched above its weight in recent years across all genders in both junior and senior participation. This success has been driven in no small part by an extremely dedicated group of volunteers who work tirelessly to make cricket accessible and enjoyable for all, and who have created a welcoming and inclusive culture that is the strength of the Castlemaine United Cricket Club.
I would like to acknowledge one particular volunteer, the late Ian Shields, who sadly passed away recently. Ian was a relatively new arrival in town but immediately threw himself into the club, selflessly offering help in any capacity needed. From feeding cricket balls into the bowling machine for juniors on Thursday nights, raking leaves around Camp Reserve, collecting sausages for the BBQ, pushing for an EFTPOS terminal behind the bar, to lobbying council for the Camp Reserve redevelopment, Ian was a tireless servant who exemplified the kind of community and club spirit that makes local sport what it is. While Ian will be deeply missed, he leaves behind a legacy and an example that anyone would do well to follow.
The Harcourt fire, which unfortunately displaced club members and destroyed property in the region, was another significant challenge. The way the club mobilised to check on the safety of members and offer assistance where possible was yet another example of CUCC’s strength as a community club.
On-field, while we didn’t enjoy the same senior-team success as in 2024/25, we saw considerable development among our younger cohort. Strong performances in our 1st XI from Declan Brasher (who, along with the evergreen Dave George, made the CDCA Team of the Year), Harper Kneebone, and Gabe O’Sullivan were highlights across the season. Our promising junior core — including Charlie Cordy, Dec Brasher, and Paddy Brasher, who cleaned up at the league presentation night — will continue to develop and form the backbone of our senior teams for years to come. Our women’s team continues to grow and has created an incredible environment for both seasoned and inexperienced cricketers to participate.
Off-field, our social committee delivered a number of exceptional events that brought the club and community together, strengthening camaraderie and raising vital funds to support club operations. The comedy night filled the Camp social rooms with laughter, and Crickety Christmas — the brainchild of Adam Perrett and Luke Kneebone — brought together rock stars, local footy stars, reality TV personalities, councillors, publicans and more to take on a CUCC All Stars side in front of a huge crowd at the Camp. With live music from Kirby Kneebone and an appearance by Santa Claus, the event was a raging success and one we hope will become an annual tradition.
On a personal level, I spent last year in awe of the amount of work our committee and volunteers put in around the club — without which we simply would not be playing cricket. Much of this work may not be immediately visible, but watching the weekly scramble led by Brian Brasher to ensure we have 11 players in each team, the tremendous administrative workload carried by Will Penrose, seeing Kossie Hale manning the club rooms on a Sunday for junior rep fixtures, or Will McDougal arriving an hour and a half early to set up the field, is truly impressive and deserves recognition.
As we look ahead to the 2026/27 season, and in the spirit of Ian Shields, YI strongly encourage all members to find a way to contribute off the field as well as on it. Many hands make light work. Like cricket clubs across the country, we will continue to face challenges in encouraging participation in our sport, so I also encourage everyone to see themselves as champions and advocates for the club. Talk to people at your school, workplace or in your social circles — tell them what a great club we are and encourage them to come down to the Camp for a hit.
Here’s to a great 2026/27 season.
Go CUCC
Nick Kearton"
