Perpetual trophies - what is their history?

President’s Award (The Jim Fuggle Trophy)

David Steer (President 1983/85) started the President’s Award. The Award recognises significant contributions by people that are above and beyond the norm. It is not restricted to the Club Executive but to those that have an interest translated into action.

In 2002, the trophy was re-named the Jim Fuggle Trophy to commemorate the achievements of the finest administrator our Club and debatably Association has seen. Jim died in April 2002. Jim started playing for WPH in the 1960’s and had been tirelessly involved in the major administrative roles (in Club, Association and District levels) since that time. This contribution was acknowledged in 2001 when he won the inaugural Hornsby Shire Council Award for contribution to Sport in the Shire.

With the exception of Life Membership, this Award is the highest honour that can be bestowed each Year.

On the 22nd July 2008, the Association further acknowledged Jim’s contribution when they instituted the inaugural ‘Jim Fuggle Memorial Award’ which recognises significant contribution – awarded annually should there be deserving nominations. The inaugural recipients were David Lea, Bob Somerville and Geoff Findlay.

Club Player of the Year

The Award is for the best performed player playing Seniors for WPHCCC. It is a prestigious award that has been traditionally won by players who rate among the best in the Association. An important requirement is that the player also shows high standards of sportsmanship.

Outstanding Prospect – West Pennant Hills Bowling Club Award

Awarded to a player Under 21 years of age playing in the senior ranks and with the potential to play A1 Grade as a minimum and potentially, higher levels of cricket. The Award aims to acknowledge the emerging elite young player each season based on performance in Seniors cricket.

Junior Player of the Year – The John Coulthard Award

The John Coulthard Trophy acknowledges our elite Junior Cricketer who also represents our core Club values – respect for the opposition, umpires and selflessness. The selected player should have the potential to play and perform well in at least A1 standard and potentially 1st Grade or higher in time and represent the Club as a role model. Winners in previous years, with few exceptions, have all excelled in either A1 Grade as a minimum, played 1st Grade and with 2 players having played for NSW at Schoolboy level. All winners have been excellent ambassadors for the Club.

Background

The Award is named after John Coulthard who coached junior teams throughout the 1980s. John’s commitment was matched only by the determination to make sure that his players had a clear understanding of their responsibility to the team and the game. John was a very good cricketer playing B Grade with distinction well into his 50s for our Club. Prior to that, he played 26 years of A1 Grade in the Churches Competition and was a NSW Churches State selector for many years. John later made a ‘comeback’ to the Club after his retirement and in 2002 ran the Kanga section with distinction until 2011. John is a Life Member of both the NSW Churches and WPHCCC (awarded in 2003).

Selection criteria

To win this prestigious Trophy, the player must play the season for WPHC Juniors in the HK&HDCA Junior Competition. Performances will rank this player as the best performed player for year. Demonstrated high standards of citizenship and sportsmanship are also a pre-requisite. If, after this filter, more than one player remains in contention then performances for Representative Teams (DCA and Green Shield) is taken into account. The final filter to apply, if players cannot be separated, is performances for WPHC Seniors.

Other considerations

• Nominations are typically sought only from the U15 and U16 age groups, given the more generous bowling and batting restrictions. However, players from all Ages are considered where performances are exceptional and not achieved at the expense of others getting an equal opportunity
• A player may only win this trophy once. For example a player playing-up to U16s who wins it and then plays U16s for a second season is not eligible
• Only one nomination per team should be submitted. If a team has more than one candidate for the Trophy they should prioritise a single nominee based on the criteria stated here.

Charles Booth Memorial Award

Our longest standing award. It is named after Charles Booth who spent considerable time with junior development in the early years of the Club. Charles was a foundation member, playing between 1946/47 to 1952/53. Charles died in 1968 when he was managing the U13 WPH side. The Award is given to an U13 player competing in the U13 competition. It is awarded on the criteria always emphasised by Charles. The player must show the highest standards of sportsmanship, fair play and commitment to the team. The player does not have to be the best player but this not a condition. Indeed, many of the winners are among our most outstanding junior and later senior players.

In 2013, the eligibility criteria was changed. Previously, the Award was only available to a player playing in the U13s. To more accurately reflect our larger Club those U13 players playing in older age divisions and also our Girls, the Award now covers all U13 players irrespective of the Age Division they are playing in.

Arthur Souter Shield

The inaugural Arthur Souter Shield was presented at the conclusion of the 2003/04 season. It was named after our Life Member Arthur Souter who established the Club’s Kanga program1992/93. Arthur also set up the Girls competition in 1996/97. His involvement in both sections was so significant that he was also the key person to setup these competitions throughout the Association.

What makes this more significant was that his children had grown up and he did it for love of the game as his sole motivation. Initially the Award was made to player who has played right through from Kanga to U16’s. To be eligible the player:

• must be a team player and a good citizen of the Club with a real commitment to the team
• must also display the highest standards of sportsmanship and demonstrate a sense of fair play in accordance with the Club’s Code of Conduct
• does not have to be the best player.

In 2005 the Award was changed. it is now a Medallion that is presented to every player who has graduated from Kanga. In the case of exceptional players, a separate Award is still possible.