David Niu - be kind

Sutherland District Cricket Club | April 16, 2023

David Niu joined Sutherland Districted Cricket Club from St George and made his first grade debut for the club on 29 September 1984. He is the proud owner of first grade playing number 125.

An all-round cricket with immense talent David had represented NSW Under 16s and 19s. He was a tremendously gifted rugby union and league player and for many years David’s contribution to sport especially in the USA in significant.

Let’s find out more about David’s journey in cricket and sport

What year you were born and where?

Born on January 3 in 1966 in Sydney.

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

Sadly. I can’t remember my first game, but I am certain I fell in love with the game right then. I do know I was surrounded by cricket. My older brothers and dad all played. I was always tagging along behind them and doing my best with a bat or ball to be involved. Along with watching in on TV at every opportunity. My earliest memory of actually playing was under 10’s. A Foster Shield rep game for St George against Sutherland. A wonderful gentleman by the name of Arthur Osborne (his son Mark played with Saints) lent me a brand new bat, a Gray Nicholls that I was worried about tapping on the ground and getting any marks on it. I scored 52 not out.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

I grew up in St George territory. Carss Park Royals was my club through the juniors. Played representative cricket through the age grades with St George, then lower grades with them, before going to Sutherland DCC.

At what age did you make your senior cricket debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?

From memory I was 15. I played fifth grade with St George against Mosman at Balmoral Oval and scored a ton.

If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?

An allrounder. I loved all three parts of the game equally. Regardless of which was happening at that moment. I just wanted to be in the thick of the action. I really enjoyed fielding. It may sound weird, but I enjoyed that as much as having a bat or ball in my hand. I always wanted the ball to be hit in my direction.

What were your strengths as a player?

I think more than anything I would say I was a good teammate. Whilst cricket can sometimes come down to individual stats, I can honestly say I cared more about the end result and how we performed as a team then anything personal. It worked for me, and the teams I played with.

NSW Under 16 team - 1981-82

Back Row – Ted Cotton (Coach), Andrew Millican, David Niu, Bruce Minnett, Steve Funnell, Steve Zantides, Jeff Maher Graham Errington (coach)

Front Row – Kevin Tuite, Rick Foley, Gavin Robertson, Nick Geale, Glenn Breusch, Greg Doyle (Captain), Ross Hobden.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

To be fair, I couldn’t tell you an exact score. I remember a few lower grade tons at St George and think I was lucky enough to scratch around for a half century for Sutherland in First Grade.

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

Similar to above. I picked up a few wickets across the grades at both clubs. I couldn’t tell you any specific figures.

Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?

I’ve seen and played with plenty of really good fast bowlers. As a young primary school kid I recall seeing Jeff Thompson playing for a NSW Colts team or similar at Brighton Oval when I was at Brighton primary. He was bowling so fast that it didn’t seem possible. It was just a blur of arms and legs and the next sound would be a ball hitting the wicket keepers gloves on the rise as he was standing only metres from the boundary in front of us. He and the slip fielders, and I am sure the batsman, were all just shaking their heads fearful of what might happen next.

Another scary quick. I recall (and a reason why I dreaded batting in the nets ever after) as a young bloke at St George being terrorised by Steve Bernard off about 18 yards at Hurstville Oval. No wonder they called him ‘Brute’. As a young teenager waiting to go into the nets it was a frightening experience. Before (panic), during (fear), and after (nightmares)! And he was my coach!

I’m sure I’m not alone in saying this. But I’d much rather face the quicks in a live game or simulated practice then in the nets…..all this time…I’ve still not recovered!

Steve Bernard bowling for NSW

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

Plenty of good ones. The best were patient. I could never read anyone’s wrists or the spin of the ball. So, my plan was to get to them on the full or half volley using my feet. Or sit on a long hop. Anything in between and I was in trouble. Murray Bennett, Mark Chapman, Dave Freedman, Nick Howard were the guys I enjoyed watching or fielding for.

Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?

Growing up we played a fair bit of junior cricket then seniors against Steve Waugh and Mark Waugh. They were always a class above. The timing and grace of Mark, and the hunger and desire of Steve. I enjoyed the contests with them. My first game with Sutherland in the top grade was against Saints at Hurstville Oval. Les Johns scored about 160 odd. He was forty odd years old. What a talented athlete. I’ve never forgotten it.

Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

I’ve seen a few. Justin Kenny was always fun to watch. When we were younger he scored about 5 or 6 tons in a row across a bunch of competitions. He just made it look so easy. Steve Funnell smashed a ton at Caringbah Oval one afternoon. Balls were flying in all directions. When he was on, you would just sit back and watch. Both those guys would have been top end T20 players these days.

Justin Kenny

Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket and you really had to knuckle down to survive? 

Not really. I always enjoyed the contest and challenge no matter what level I was playing at. Playing with and against better talent, tended to bring out the best in me as I am sure it does for most everyone.

Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Andrew Millican was our wicket keeper through all our junior and state age grade teams. We were St George team mates until Green Shield, when David Moore got the nod, and Spike ended up going to Randwick. Both were great glovemen. I think Spike had the edge with the bat and the odd cheeky comment from behind the stumps. Dave went on to play for NSW.

I think Spike would have held his own in First Class cricket for sure. Both great keepers and better people. Steve Rixon was at Sutherland when I went there. He was in a class of his own, and mentored some pretty good guys coming through in Shane Duff and Evan Atkins. To be honest, I was happy with any keeper that would catch a knick off my bowling!

Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?

I’ve had a few, Greg Doyle stands out as a really good leader. A gentleman with a great care for the game and his team. His father was our junior coach at St George where we won the Foster, Cawsey, Moore and Watson Shield. Then the Green Shield. Lots of talent. But very smart leadership to which Greg was a key figure. He has sadly passed away at very young age. Gone too soon.

Greg Doyle

When I ever got a chance to play lower grades with Sutherland. I really enjoyed playing with one of my best mates Tom Iceton when he was captain. I really appreciated how much he loved the game of cricket and the SDCC. He would just let me do my thing and have fun. No pressure. No worries. Fun cricket.

Tom Iceton

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Too many to mention!

Who was your childhood hero?

My brothers and sisters. I only ever thought about being like them.

You were a talented Rugby Union player and selected in the Australian training squad for the 1987 World Cup. What position did you play in rugby and how do you look back on your days playing Rugby?

I was a five eighth. Wonderful memories. I was very lucky to play in a great era of Australian Rugby.

To be part of the first Rugby World Cup and see what it has developed into now as the third most watched sporting event in the world is pretty amazing. Then to play with the USA in the 1999 RWC was something unexpected, especially against the Wallabies in pool play in Limmerick. I am very fortunate.

You transferred across to rugby League and the St George Dragons, why the change and what did it mean to you to wear the big Red V?

I always wanted to play Rugby League at the top level. It was the right time when I crossed over. Playing for the Dragons was wonderful. Nothing like being part of the Red V family. The best fans in footy.

David Niu playing for St George Dragons

At 27 years of age you moved to the United States, can you share why you made the move?

Over the years, this story has taken on a life of its own but the basics are; I met a girl in Hawaii on an end of season trip with St George. She was from Philadelphia. Here I am 30 years later!

David Niu tacking Chris Latham - USA v Australia 1999 Rugby Union World Cup

You pioneered rugby league in the States, what were some of the challenges you faced and what would be your proudest moment in U.S Rugby League?

Plenty of challenges! But it was really enjoyable and rewarding. I learned a lot about the business and politics of sport. We grew the sport from no players, no competition, and no awareness for rugby league in America. To a twelve-team competition spanning the eastern seaboard, with grassroots and international programs book ending the local competition. From nothing in 1998 we qualified for the 2013 RLWC where we made it to the Quarter Finals to be beaten by the Kangaroos having knocked over South Africa, Jamaica, Canada, France, the Cook Islands, and Wales along the way. At the end of RLWC we were ranked 7th in the world.

Rugby, AFL and now Fencing are sports that have engaged/contracted you in the U. S at various stages, we’d love to get your advice, philosophy of the importance of sport to people living an active and healthy lifestyle?

What excites me most about sport, and the motivation for having been involved in it as a participant or on the business side my whole life, is that is fundamentally about people. How we interact, engage, and cooperate. Sport is a place where we are the most honest, and vulnerable. No matter what the situation. Sport will humble you at some time or moment. So, work hard, and be nice. Give more then you take. Simple lessons from a life in sports that will all contribute to you living an active and healthy lifestyle.

How important is it for Sports Administrators to provide an inclusive and collaborative sporting environment?

It’s critical. There can be no real success or growth at any level of sports administration from youth to international without trust and cooperation. The only way to get to that place is by giving everyone a fair crack, and providing an environment where they can collaborate.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

I’d say it was the Under 19 National Championships with NSW. We had a really good team vibe. Great coaching with Teddy Cotton and Jack Wilson. Quality teammates who all got along. Played great cricket in a really positive spirit. We won every game in the lead up to the final when we lost to Victoria by a dozen or so runs after having the game and title comfortably in our grasp.

We really did snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. As a result a couple of us probably went from being on the plane to India and Sri Lanka for the Australian Under 19 team, to being left behind when the team was announced that evening.

I remember how sad and upset Teddy and Jack were. Looking back, for me it was a turning point (hence being a memorable moment in cricket). I was disappointed, but when I returned home I jumped straight back into rugby practice for the season ahead. I ended up winning the Rothmans Medal and was selected to the Australian World Cup training squad for the 1987 RWC.

In hindsight, it took more of my time in the direction of rugby , although cricket really was a big love of mine. I sometimes wonder about what might have happened if I made that tour. I think they picked Tom Moody ahead of me. So he ended up doing ok…. J

Back Row – Ted Cotton (Coach), Martin Wood, Paul Stepto, Peter McLay, Gavin Robertson, Steve Funnell, Jack Wilson (Manager)

Front Row – Kevin Tuite, Chris Shelley, Glenn Breusch, Mark Patterson, Justin Kenny (Captain), Andrew Millican, David Niu, Geoff Lovell

Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?

I would enjoy a BBQ with every teammate I had along the way. In no particular order. I am certain there would plenty of laughing, singing, and ….. drinking ??

What are your hobbies?

Currently two German Short Haired Pointers….

Naka and Kana!

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Be kind