Rob Lavery Awarded UTS North Sydney Cricket Club's 51st Life Membership

UTS North Sydney District Cricket Club | July 24, 2023

At our AGM on Friday 21 July, Rob Lavery was unanimously awarded Life Membership. His nomination speech, tabled by Pat Lindsay, is reproduced below.

The Management Committee of the UTS North Sydney District Cricket Club has unanimously agreed to recommend to the members that Mr Robert Lavery be confirmed as the club's 51st Life Member. Rob joined the Bears in season 2011-12 at the tail end of a period of sustained success for the club. Rob started out in Fourth Grade but quickly demonstrated his wares and ultimately moved up to Second Grade.

At his peak, Rob was a formidable opening bowler. Possessing height, a smooth run-up and an action that reminded me of Jason Gillespie, he was good value for his 32 wickets at 28 in Second Grade.

Rob’s playing statistics for the Bears read 132 wickets at 22.11 with a best bowling of 5/28 and 391 runs at 9.53 with a top score of 38. The majority of those wickets came as a seamer, with a few more recently sprinkled in as an off-break bowler. It distresses me that Rob’s batting average is superior to my own, something I intend on correcting next season. That Rob has skippered every grade from Second to Fifth pays testament to his maturity, leadership and tactical acumen.

As impressive as Rob’s on-field achievements are, his nomination for Life Member is also as a result of his off-field contribution, which has been immense. Rob has had two stints on the Committee. One brief stint shortly after joining and the current tenure, which commenced in season 2016-17 and remains ongoing as Senior Vice President. Rob stepped into the breach as President at the commencement of season 2018-19 when the elected President resigned at short notice. Rob has been a selector, coach, website operator, writer, President for 3 seasons, Senior Vice President, essentially Director of Women's Cricket and captain at various times, all whilst juggling a young family and a second job that actually paid him.

During Rob’s time as President the club strengthened in all aspects. We were stronger on the field - indeed the club's results in the Men’s Club Championship improved with each year of his Presidency. The club's financial position improved. The club's standing in the community improved. The women's program continued to grow. Volunteer engagement improved. By all measures, the Lavery years as President were some of the strongest in the club's history.

Rob has also dedicated significant time and effort into our burgeoning women’s program. With the significant support of some other key individuals, this program has evolved into a three-team program with the approval of a stand alone Second Grade team being the most recent achievement. Although Rob has not been the only individual to contribute to the growth of the women’s program, without his involvement, it would not be in the position it is today. Rob’s calm leadership piloted the program through some choppy recent waters. I know Rob is proud of where the program is placed as well he ought to be.

Rob loves cricket and I have greatly enjoyed our chats about the sport, the club and our own performances over the years. I’m sure it is Rob’s love for cricket that has driven his truly massive involvement with the Bears.

Hall of Fame inductees in various sports are often chosen with a criterion of "did they change the sport?" In that vein, Rob has most certainly changed this club and undeniably for the better. As such, on behalf of the Committee, it is my great pleasure to nominate Rob Lavery, a man who has dedicated himself to the Bears, for life membership of the North Sydney District Cricket Club.