Kim Barrie Q&A
Belmont District Cricket Club | October 08, 2024
What state do you live in?
NSW
When did you first start developing a love for cricket?
Highschool.
How did you become involved with the club you’re currently associated with?
We came to the club for the 1995/96 season as our friend Adam Taylor asked Scott if he was interested in playing grade cricket again, so we came to Belmont.
The Belmont Hotel is a proud sponsor of the Belmont District Cricket Club
What do you like most about the club?
Everyone is family. It is great to see the camaraderie when former players come to events and catch up with old friends and chat to the young players, sharing their wisdom and love of the game.
Which club and or competition do you support?
Belmont
When and how did you develop a love of scoring/volunteering/ administration? I used to score as a teen for Toronto when I was at school. In my 20s, I worked a second job at Charlestown Indoor Sports, where I met Scott then we joined Belmont. I became secretary when Adam had a plan to get me in as secretary and the rest is history.
Who’s your favourite all-time cricketer?
One of them would be Steve Waugh
Steve Waugh
Who’s been the batter you’ve enjoyed watching the most?
No one in particular, I like to see players achieve their best, particularly when they have lost their confidence with the bat.
Who in your opinion has been the best fast bowler?
In local grade cricket, a young Jamie Heath. Iain Brunschweiller might not agree after he decided to take his helmet off and had his jaw broken in a day/night T20 on Cahill Oval by Jamie. That's a pom for you.
Jamie Heath
Who in your opinion has been the best spinner?
There have been lots of great players over the years I have watched, but more recently, I have liked watching players try to play Alex Grabham. Most have no idea how to play him, and it is great to watch them get all cocky, and Alex just takes them down.
Who in your opinion has been the best wicket keeper?
Simon Moore. I've known Simon since he was about 14 years old, from indoor cricket, initially. He is an amazing gloveman.
Simon Moore
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand as a scorer?
I've seen lots of great things, but it would have to be Scott's first ton. It was against Newcastle City in 2nd grade. They set us 220 off 20 overs for an outright. Mrs Willis, our scorer, who always wrote down the balls faced, gave up; Scott was hitting them everywhere and was well backed up by Jason Baker and James Hilary. Scott got 120 not out, and the boys helped get us the 220 needed for the outright, and we won the game. City was not happy.
Who are the 2 players you most admire in the competitions you score in terms of skills and competitive spirit?
Jace Lawson. I have watched Jace work hard since he was about 14 years old to master his craft, and his never-die attitude has allowed him to achieve the results he has with his bowling, also a very handy batsman. Marcus Hainsworth had a unique way to get his team to perform at their best. He is a great gloveman and batsman and always led the way as a captain.
Jace Lawson
What’s the most picturesque ground you’ve had the good fortune to watch cricket?
There is a pretty ground out at Martinsville
What’s your preferred format of the game, Test Cricket, One day games, T20?
Two day, 100 overs each day. It is a true test of how to play cricket, stay out there all day if batting (Paul Monico 100 runs off the 100th over of the day) and allows bowlers to work their magic to get wickets. It sets the bar high to see how good of a cricketer players really are.
What do Cricket Officials need to do over the next 10 or so years to ensure people get to enjoy the game as much as you do?
Promote it more in the local areas on the radio so people know that registrations are open. This has to be done at the cost of the associations, not the clubs. Also, associations need to help clubs with soil and other costs such as curation. It is tough out there getting sponsorships, etc, and to have a great curator like we do in Tony Bristow, whom I was fortunate enough to get back to our club on his return to Australia from England, requires funding. With the closure of the Belmont Sportsman's Club, our major sponsor of many years and who paid the curators wages during their time in operation, that cost now falls onto our club. Players want to play on great wickets, and Tony has been working extraordinarily hard to return Cahill Oval and Miller Field wickets back to their former glory when Russell Neal was the head curator.
Who are the 3 cricketers from any era you’d like to invite to a BBQ?
I really don't know; there are too many great people to choose just three. Matty Eeastham, if you need a great chef and if you want to hear a great laugh, Marcus Hainsworth and Chris Neal.
What would be your ultimate experience as a cricket fan?
I look forward to seeing Belmont be premiers in all grades and win the Club Championship again.
