Greg Tibbits – Greg Chappell Cricket Centre Supremo
Brad Murphy | May 16, 2023
Another interview with a past team mate of mine in Greg “Chad “Tibbits who is now the Managing Director of the Greg Chappell Cricket Centre.
A Brisbane boy, 'Chad' played First Grade for Sandgate -Redcliffe, Colts and Toombul in the QCA competition for many years whilst at the same time cutting his teeth working at the Albion GCCC in Dover Street.
He was a very gutsy top order batsman and a partnership breaking left arm wrist spinner, memorably capturing the prized wicket of a young Stuart Law at Deagon one day with his wrong ‘un!. As a fieldsman in the circle, in my opinion he was the equal of guys such as Graeme “Buck” Rogers from Souths and Brad Inwood (Norths and Qld) in that 80s era. He was a real gun.
After his playing days he was a massive worker as an official at the Toombul club where his three sons all played. His oldest son Jason was the Toombul First Grade wicketkeeper for a few seasons before travelling to Vancouver to play for a couple of years.
Greg has risen the ranks at the GCCC and now resides in Sydney - still a major contributor to the game.
In the days where grade cricketers sat down to have a beer and name our various club XIs as would happen around the land e.g. – “ Arrogant XI” , Ugly XI “ etc, etc, Chad was always a member of the “ Good Blokes XI “. He was a popular part of the Brisbane grade fraternity.
Let’s ask him some questions:
What year you were born?
1964
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
My first game was when I was 7 playing under 11’s, I got 14 retired hurt. Got hit not wearing a protector and have worn one ever since.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I played junior cricket at North Star and Toombul, then Senior Cricket for Toombul, Colts and Sandgate. I played for Everton Districts with my boys one winter and it was the best season I had from an enjoyment level.
What other sports do you play?
I played Table Tennis competitively
Who is your favourite sports movie or documentary?
Chariots of Fire
What’s the one thing about you most people don’t know about?
I’m tall
What’s your highest score in senior cricket?
187 for Toombul v Norths at Oxenham Park (Ken Mackay Oval) in the 2’s after being dropped from the 1’s. I was an angry young man that day with something to prove.
What has been your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
5 for against World Series Valleys. Wessels, Border, Ritchie, Brown and Anderson.
Can you tell us which players in the club we should be looking out for in terms of higher representative honours?
I live in Sydney now and don’t rate any New South Welshman.
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against so far?
Carl Rackemann – he was so bouncy I couldn’t get him off the square
Harry Frei – you were always in a contest. If I went to war, I would want Harry beside me!
Dan Mullins – the zip-zip man just knicked me off for fun.
Who has been the best three spinners you have played against so far?
Trevor Hohns – round the wicket just outside leg spinning across you. Difficult because he was quick through the air
Bob Joyce – he was unplayable if it was turning
Malcolm Franke – because he turned on ice!
Phil Tufnell (Not!) – can’t believe he got 121 test wickets, absolute cannon fodder
Who has been the best 2 batsman you’ve played against?
Kepler Wessels – he valued his wicket so highly. Think his record in club cricket was 10 hundreds in 13 innings.
Greg Chappell – just so beautiful to watch
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Stuart Law – on his first-grade debut at 16/17 for Colts against Wynnum. He scored 180 I think and made a state attack look like schoolboys, and we chased down 401 to win. Peter Cantrell’s 200 for Wynnum in the same game was impressive
Who has been the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Peter Anderson (sorry Heals) he was just so clean and quick.
Who has been your funniest teammate?
Dean Tuckwell was always a blast to be around. Fond memories of the trips to Wondai and the laughs we had as members of the mighty Hunts’ teams.
Who was your childhood hero?
Greg Chappell
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
You would need to bring them back but Muhammad Ali, The Don and Edwin Flack
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Bumble – David Lloyd
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Harry Frei and Trevor Barsby
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The life-long friends you make.
What has been your most memorable moment in cricket?
I was made a life member of Toombul District Cricket Club in 2007 which I treasure and fell very honoured to have received from a club with such a long history and so many famous players.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Ironically it was probably as a coach. It was a U19 final for Toombul against the Gold Coast. Preston White had a day out with the ball and bowled them out for 51. Chris Lynn and Chris Kent got them in about 10 overs, and we were at the beach before lunch. Many of the club officials and supporters missed the whole game travelling down to the Coast. It was a comprehensive display of perfect cricket.
What are your hobbies?
Love golf, play it badly and not often enough
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself
What are your cricketing ambitions?
My ambition now is to have as many kids catch cricket fever as possible, just like I did as a kid after going to my first coaching course in 1973. I am the luckiest man alive as I live and work in my hobby every day now as the owner of the Greg Chappell Cricket Centre, the centre I completed that very first course in under Peter Philpott. I have had a life-long involvement with cricket even though my actual playing career was relatively short. I have coached, administered and assisted more cricketers than most. I’m extremely proud to be the owner of an institution that has provided more cricketers, bats and equipment than any other in this country. Bill Buckle and Rod Rice are both legends of Brisbane Cricket and previous owners whom I have huge respect and admiration for. My ambition is to be seen to have given back to the game, like them, what I have received out of it. A lifetime of memories, friends, enjoyment and a love for our great game.
