NICU’s Lisa Honess and Brian Rae flank TDCA president Richard Bullock (second from left) and cricket administrator Grahame Davies. Photo: Geoff O’Neill 111012GOE01
TAMWORTH District Cricket Association (TDCA) began its new season with a dry day for a change last Saturday but today’s addition of the fourth grade season might be a washout.
Heavy overnight rain on Wednesday night washed out the final day of the NSW Veterans’ Cricket Championships in Tamworth on Thursday and might have condemned the second weekend of the new Tamworth season to a similar fate.
The TDCA, sponsored by Northern Inland Credit Union (NICU) for the next four years, celebrated its first dry start to a new season in three years, administrator Graham Davies said.
“It was the first time in three years we’d played the first day,” Davies said on Thursday afternoon.
“But it’s not looking good for this weekend.”
President Richard Bullock said he hoped for clearing skies so the fourth grade competition could also kick in with the other three grades today.
He is in his first term as president and welcomes the Northern Inland Credit Union as major sponsor for four years.
“It’s great for the seniors as well as all the juniors.
“Everyone will benefit from their sponsorship.”
NICU marketing co-ordinator Lisa Honess is hoping her financial institution can help develop the TDCA.
“The Northern Inland Credit Union was very keen to establish a partnership with TDCA as it is an excellent opportunity for promotion and a good fit with our endeavours for partnering with unique and smart organisations that benefit our local community,” Honess said.
The Imperial Hotel will remain as the TDCA’s representative team sponsor and will have logos on the various Tamworth rep side shirts.
Bullock said not only would the NICU logos appear on rep shirts but its signs would also appear around all the first grade grounds on game days.
The TDCA was to have conducted its McDonald’s Twenty20 team selection night at Cricket House last night as well.
“We’re still looking for a fourth team sponsor,” Bullock said.
“We have McDonald’s, Joblink Plus, Halpin Plumbing and Psarakis Accounting has a half of the final franchise – we’re just looking for someone to go halves with Tex (Terry Psarakis) or take it outright.”
If Tamworth cricket does go ahead today, 40 over-a-side limited over matches will be played, West Tamworth playing South Tamworth at Scully Park, North Tamworth and Old Boys matching up at Dick Edwards Oval and Bective-East and City United playing a day-night match at No 1 Oval, starting at 3pm.
The No.1 Oval game could be switched to Chaffey Park and a normal start time if it is too wet.
That decision will be made this morning.