Cameron’s contribution behind remarkable run
HE can’t score any runs.
He won’t take a single wicket or make a catch.
But North Otago Cricket Association chairman Peter Cameron has arguably contributed more than anyone to the association’s remarkable run during the past decade or so.
North Otago has earned the right to challenge Nelson for the Hawke Cup.
The threeday game gets under way at Saxton Oval today and it is North Otago’s fourth challenge in the past 12 seasons.
North Otago allrounder Jeremy Smith took 11 wickets to help the team edge Southland to secure the challenge.
But a lot of the hard work has been done in the back office by the team Cameron leads.
And it is not his first innings either. The 71yearold volunteer has been the association’s chairman since 2002 and was on the committee for the five years before that.
That is 24 years of giving back to the sport he loves.
To understand where that passion comes from you have wind the clock back about three decades.
Cameron grew up in Dunedin and played cricket for Port Chalmers. But it was not until he was in his 40s and living in Oamaru that he really started coming into his own.
His oldest son, Glynn, was playing cricket by that stage and he joined him at the Union Cricket Club.
He ended up playing 160 senior games for the club — 110 of them alongside Glynn and another ‘‘2530’’ alongside Glynn and youngest son Scott.
He was having such a wonderful time he did not retire
Hawke Cup challenge
Saxton Oval, 10:30am
North Otago: Jeremiah Shields, Stephan Grobler, Ben Donkers, Llew Johnson, Nathan Smith, Lachlan Kingan (c), Tom Dempster, Jeremy Smith, Cameron Grubb, Blake James, Nicholas Johnston, Scott Kitto. Nelson: Nic Clark, Thomas Zohrab, Greg Hay, Harsh Visavidya, Jonty Raxworthy, Joey O’Conner, David Zohrab, Ollie Jones Allen (c)
Josh Newport, Finn Restieaux, Josh Smith, Ronan Restieaux.
until he was 55.
While he eventually stopped playing, his contribution to game went up a level.
He was inspired to provide others with the types of opportunities he enjoyed, or as he put it, ‘‘making sure there is something ongoing’’.
‘‘Part of it has been a desire to see success,’’ Cameron responded when asked what kept him motivated.
‘‘But also my children and a couple of my grandchildren are cricket tragics, so it has also been about making sure there is something ongoing so they can be the best they can be.’’
Cameron has a background in banking and has worked as a mortgage and insurance broker.
At times his work was something he fitted in around cricket, from which he derived so much enjoyment. He has averaged about a day a week for the best part of two decades.
Glynn is from the same mould. Last year, New Zealand Cricket recognised his outstanding contribution to coaching in its community awards.
Glynn has spent more than 20 years coaching and is the only player from North Otago to play and coach at every representative level for the association.
It is an extraordinary contribution from a family.
Cameron has overseen plenty of change during his tenure.
When first involved at committee level, the organisation needed to become more professional and he helped guide that transition when he became chairman.
And after 19 years in the role ‘‘I’m still getting satisfaction and wanting to be part of it’’.
‘‘We are fortunate that we have a parttime administrator in Jacque Crombie who does an excellent job.
‘‘But as time has gone on the requirements and expectations of New Zealand Cricket have continued to grow as well, so much of the work that she completes is work over and above what I was doing before we had a paid person in that role.’’
‘‘Quite often your playing strength is reflected by your back office. And for the last 10 years we’ve had an exceptional group of people who have done a good job and this is our fourth challenge during that period.
‘‘For the smallest association in the zone, to get four challenges [indicates] we’ve done exceptionally well.’’
‘‘What we have to do as an organisation is provide opportunities for those coming through . . . so they can move on like the likes of your Nathan Smiths, Llew Johnsons and Molly Loes who have come through age group cricket here and moved on to a higher level.
‘‘We do feel very proud of what we have achieved with those young people.’’
CANTERBURY wicketkeeperbatsman Cameron Fletcher blasted his side into the Super Smash final with a matchwinning knock against Central Districts in the elimination final in Auckland yesterday.
He clobbered 72 from 42 balls to help the Kings overhaul the Stags’ total of 180 for seven.
Black Caps allrounder Daryl Mitchell played a crucial role as well. He stroked 88 from 58.
The pair combined in a partnership of 132 for the fifth wicket. Canterbury had slumped to 38 for four.
Both batsmen were dismissed late in the match which created a tense finish.
But Matt Henry found a single off the penultimate ball to seal the win.
Earlier, Will Young blazed 101 from 47 balls to help rescue his side from a weak position at 103 for five.
It was his maiden T20 century but it came in a losing effort.
While there was some top quality batting on display, Fletcher produced the standout knock.
He swatted five sixes and four fours to ensure the Kings will join defending champions the Wellington Firebirds in tomorrow’s final at the Basin Reserve.
‘‘It is an incredible feeling,’’ Fletcher said shortly after the game.
‘‘It was a knockout game and everything to play for and we knew we had to go out there hard.
‘‘I thought we did an incredible job in the field . . . but Will Young was amazing. To then to turn it around and get the win