Five Victorian Cricketers in the Australian Team of Players with an Intellectual Disability, recently returned from England from the Tri-Series, have enjoyed incredible success with the rest of their team mates. 

On 11 June their win over South Africa at Sussex County Ground, Hove, was the third in the series and saw it maintain its unbeaten record in the tournament.  Previously they had defeated England by 81 runs at the Rosebowl Stadium in Hampshire, England. 

Then South Africa was beaten by 98 runs in the second game, when Victorian Gavan Hicks who was making his debut for Australia,  followed up his half century in the first game with a well compiled 45 off 58 balls.  He was well supported by all rounder David Wallace who scored a quick fire 31 from 26 balls.  In the same match, leg spinner Craig Whitehand from Corio took one wicket.

Sussex County Ground, Hove was the venue where Australia defeated South Africa, but not without a tussle.  Bowling stars for Australia were David Wallace (2/25 off 6 overs) and Brett Wilson (2/32 off 6.5 overs). 

South Africa took on England at Hove on12 June in a match that determined who would meet Australia in the Final at Arundel Castle on Friday 15 June.

Australia then won its second Tri-Series Title with a hard fought victory against South Africa at the Arundel Castle Cricket Club.  This has followed its win at the Inaugural Tri-Series in South Africa in 2005.  Victorians David Wallace and Jarrod Connelly became the heroes of the later part of the innings.  In fact Connelly’s efforts, combined with his batting, saw him awarded “Man of the Match” honours.

Australian Captain, Rex Breed was awarded the championship trophy and Victorian Gavan Hicks the “Man of the Series”.

Four of those five Victorian Cricketers in the Australian Team were fortunate recipients of the Athlete Development Fund, which is administered by the Victorian Disabled Sports Advisory Committee (VDSAC). VICSRAPID indeed is proud of Craig Whitehand, David Wallace, Shaun Wilkie and Jarrod Connelly. Certainly we are also proud of Gavan Hicks who was a late selection to the team and therefore had missed out on ADF funding.  However, Gavan obviously will be the man to watch at future tournaments.

Editor 19 June 2007.

VICSRAPID has a new President

At our Annual General Meeting held on 25 September 2007, Michael Cole was elected as President of our 2007-8 Committee of Management.  As a general committee member since 2005, Michael has gained a good understanding of VICSRAPID's role and responsibilities.  This now will be the beginning of a new era for our organisation.

Outgoing President, Lee Llewellyn, was happy and confident to "hand over the reigns" to Michael. As co-founder of VICSRAPID in 1986, she has held executive positions during the past twenty-one years, including a total of eleven years as President. 

The incoming Committee of Management includes three new members. and the incoming  Committee members are:

       President           Mr Michael Cole

       Vice-President  Mr John Sanders (Life Member)

       Treasurer           Mr John O'Shaughnessy

       Hon Secretary   Vacant

       General Committe:

       Mrs Ros Nam

       Miss Katrina Shepherd

       Mr Stuart Sutton

       Mrs Pamela Taylor

      Mr Paul Mullarvey

      Mr Robert Newman

      Mrs Lee Llewellyn AM  (Life Member)

Editor 4 Oct 2007