Gill Chapman - a lifetime passion
Queensland Veterans Cricket | July 20, 2023
Gill Chapman continues to make indelible contribution to the game of cricket and the community. He’s been involved with Valley District Cricket Club for 57 years to date, plays Veterans cricket, toured with the Australian Over 60s and is a life member of Queensland Veterans Cricket. He played rugby League for Wests back in the 60s and 70s and was also a rugby league referee.
It’s a wonderful journey, let’s find out more
What year you were born?
1948
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
First game was for Kelvin Grove State School v Grovely State School while in year 7 and I was 11 years old. Opened the batting and bowling. KGSC batted first and score a motza. Think I scored 40 not out. KGSC then rolled Grovely for something like ten (10) and twenty (20). Took 5 wickets in first innings. The amazing thing is that one of the opposition players in that game is my best friend to this day.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I played two years at Kelvin Grove State School before playing for Kelvin Grove State High School and was selected in the senior team whilst only a junior. In my first game on turf at Victoria Park I batted through the innings against Newmarket scoring 48* in a total of 80.
In 1963 I joined Valley District Cricket Club at Perry Park. I was not selected in their Under 17 side, but they were short of a wicket keeper. I 'fibbed' saying I could keep, thus starting a career that served me well over many years. Won the clubs "most runs" trophy that year with 634 runs, edging out club legend Peter Easton. Opened the batting with Geoff Oliphant, brother of Rugby League great Greg Oliphant. Valleys is the only district club I have played for, my last game in 2018 ending with a broken leg and ankle. Played over 400 games with Valley.
I started playing Veterans cricket in 2011, and with Q'ld Cricketers Club over 40's. I was lucky enough to tour England, NZ & South Africa with Australian Over 60 teams, playing in 4 One Day games.
What other sports do you play?
I tried my hand at tennis, golf, water polo for Tugun, squash and Rugby League.
Played my junior rugby league at Wests and Wests Mitchelton, and then Western Suburb Seniors. The Mighty Panthers.
Played with Greg Oliphant for Wests Juniors in Rugby League, and against Greg in the seniors when he played for Valleys Rugby League. Greg also played a few junior cricket games with VDCC.
Had an interesting first grade debut for Wests First Grade in 1968 v Wynnum Manly. Replacing the injured Barry Muir, (what a halfback), I played alongside fellow Wests juniors, Robert 'Yogi' Thompson and Ritchie Twist. Wayne Head, who won the first ever Rothmans Medal, also played, as did Paul Morgan, one of the founders of the Broncos. Was a boy amongst men!! We lost 16-13, controversially, with Henry Albert the referee. I was a rugby league referee from 1984-1997, and a touch judge in three Brisbane first grade grand finals in 1989, 90, and 91, with referee great, David Manson, being the central referee in all three games. Great experiences.
Who is your favourite sports movie or documentary?
The series on Jack Nicklaus is a must see. What a golfer and what a person.
What is the one thing about you most people don’t know about?
I am a bit of a softy when it comes to family.
What’s your highest score in senior cricket?
I scored 207 not out for Valleys against Sandgate Redcliffe at Deagon in 3rd Grade in 1977/78. We were 2 for 6.
What has been your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
5 for 68 off 28 overs and 2 for 26 off 13 overs in the 1985/86 (losing) Fifth Grade final v University at Ashgrove.
Can you tell us which players in the club we should be looking out for in terms of higher representative honours?
Current Valley captain, Andrew Gode, (VDCC's only Peter Burge medallist), must be the unluckiest player in grade cricket not to have played Shield cricket. His record over many years as an all-rounder has been outstanding.
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against so far?
Tony Dell, Ian King and Ross Duncan, the master of swing and control, were all great bowlers. Delly was awkward and King was sharp.
Valley Old Boys 2016
Who has been the best three spinners you have played against so far?
Tom Veivers (Uni), Alan Beattie (Norths), and Alan Skuse (Toombul) were all good, but I was happy I had to keep to Malcolm Francke rather than bat against him. Malcolm was by far the best spinner of any type I have seen in my time involved in club cricket. Should have played for Australia,
Who has been the best 2 batsman you’ve played against?
So many, but a young Martin Kent was always going to be a very good bat, as was Phil Carlson.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against? And if you wanted to add a few words as to why that is fine
Keith Ziebell scored 75 for Valleys when they defeated University in the 1974/75 First Grade final at the Gabba. A gutsy effort against an attack that include David Ellis, Bob Crane and John Buchanan, on a not all that flash Gabba track. This was also Lew Coopers last first grade game for Uni.
Who has been the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Peter Anderson without doubt. Ian Botham said he was the best wicket keeper he bowled to.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Kel "Chang" Rogers, a Valley lower grade player, funniest on and off the field. What a character.
Who was your childhood hero?
Rugby League greats Brian Davies and Barry Muir, cricketing greats Richie Benaud and Alan Davidson. However, Jack Nicklaus was probably the sports person I admired most both on and off the golf course. Always remember Jack saying he never wished his opponents 'good luck' as he did not want luck to play a part in the final result. He always said, "Play well".
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Jack Nicklaus. Have already met Alan Border and the late Richie Benaud.
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Kerry O’Keeffe. Not your usual commentator but you have to laugh at his stories... and his laugh!!
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Alan Border and Kepler Wessels. Both tough as nails.
Gill with Kepler
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The meeting of long-time friends and acquaintances all over Australia and the world. Being able to still be playing this great sport at over 70 years of age in Veterans cricket is amazing. We have had friends from over Australia, England and South Africa stay with us in Australia because of Veterans cricket.
What has been your most memorable moment in cricket?
So many but will always remember when Alan Border came to the club in 1980, we had our annual BBQ after training to name the sides for the first game of the season. The lads were chanting "your shout AB", so he went into the canteen, put his arms out, and said to me, 'load up us many beers as you can". AB then walked out into the hall and rolled the beers out. What a mad scramble, but in that instant AB was a Valley icon. He is still our VDCC patron.
Also, the clubs Centenary dinner in 1998 at the Sheraton Hotels Grand Ballroom. Guests included Test great Alan Davidson, umpire Mel Johnson, and Valleys own Alan Border, with Pat Welsh as MC. Richie Benaud was in South Africa and unable to attend but sent a video for the occasion. I have a treasured photo sitting with Alan Davidson in the early hours of the morning after the function listening to Davo's endless stories. I recall going to the casino with Geoff Trivett and catching a cab home at 7am the following day on our winnings. Great memories
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Valleys winning the First Grade premiership in 1974/75 for the first time in 45 years. What a moment. I was 12th man but the celebrations were something to remember, thanks to the late Geoff Trivett, another great character.
Valley - ground opening
What are your hobbies?
Little time for much outside my lifetime passion of cricket. Enjoying watching most sports at the highest level with some reading thrown in. Love a game of golf and travelling overseas.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
My father saying, I had to save 10% of my earnings from work for the future, and if I didn't, that my board would be 10% of earnings. A great lesson balancing the financial side of life.
What are your cricketing ambitions?
To enjoy the time left to play the game and reflect on the journey.
I was, embarrassingly at the time, made a Life Member of Valleys in 1972, at the incredibly young age of 24. I’m still a Vice President of this wonderful club, with a wonderful culture. I was also made a Life Member of Q'ld Veterans Cricket in 2020, having thought in the early 2000's, my administrative career was at an end. A lovely way to culminate a terrific journey in a fantastic sport.
