Bruce Whitehouse - enjoy what you do
Georges River District Cricket Club | February 10, 2023
Bruce Whitehouse has made an immense contribution to cricket on and off the field as a player, administrator and umpire.
Bruce was awarded Life Membership of George River Cricket Club in 1993/94, he’s a former President of the club and has been inducted as a Blue Bag legend
Let’s find out more about Bruce’s journey in the game
Bruce Whitehouse - umpire
What year you were born?
1958
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I think I was 11 and it was for the under 12s for Punchbowl Sports. I clearly remember the whole side getting rolled for 7 – four of which were byes. By the time we got to Under 16s we had improved and made the final on the back of a guy named Marty Sinclair who dominated the opposition with the bat. I think Marty went on to play first grade for St George.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
In the juniors Punchbowl Sports, I used to ride my pushbike from home to training at a ground that was about 5 km away. When I finished juniors I have 1 year in Shires with Canterbury in 1974.
I then played seniors in the park for St Jeromes in the Canterbury comp and then Grandviews in the Georges River Penshurst comp when I moved into the St George area.
A mate of mine at work said you should come and play with Bexley in the Shires competition and I joined them in 1986/87. I played with Bexley ever since then as they became Canterbury Bexley then Georges River as they are now.
My last on field venture was in 2011/12, however I didn’t play in 2005/06 or 2007/08 through to 2009/10. My forte really was administration having been both Secretary and President of Bexley/Georges River CC, as well as undertaking various tasks for the Shires competition on behalf of Cricket NSW. I was lucky to be inducted into the Shires Legends in 2012.
A funny story in my first year with Bexley. We had made the final in 2nd grade, the first time since 1958. However my wife was 9 months pregnant and you guessed it, around midnight on the Friday night we were off to the hospital to see my beautiful daughter born mid-afternoon on Saturday. Of course I threw my cricket kit in just in case things happened quickly........
My dear friend Roy Amos took my place at the top of the order and we were sent in on a damp wicket and Roy sadly copped one in the melon!!
In following years, I also managed to bust a cheek bone in a warm up against Wentworthville at a ground at Westmead Hospital. Surgery that night and I batted the following week.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I remember playing for Canterbury in the Shires comp when I was 16 in 1974 in C Grade. Played 1 year then went back to local park cricket as I wasn’t getting a game.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Just a plodder actually. I opened the batting, kept for quite a number of years and always loved a bowl (like anyone who can’t) – it was always entertaining.
Overall my time with Bexley/Georges River I ended playing 269 games, scored 5556 runs at 20.89, took 140 catches and 18 stumping’s. I took 33 wickets at 26.88 – those 33 blokes should be ashamed of themselves.... (you have to love MyCricket)-
Bruce Whitehouse batting
What were your strengths as a player?
I would like to say I never gave up, passion and enthusiasm, it’s all about the team
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
I scored 174 opening the batting for Bexley in third grade against Holroyd in 1993 at Hudson Park Homebush. It was fun
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Playing for Bexley I somehow managed to take 3 for 46 in 1999/2000. I think it might have against been Strathfield
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
My references are all Shires players.
Mick Towells from Burwood scared the living daylights out of me being a huge human who bowled massive inswingers and really wanted to hit you but was a softie off the field.
Craig Pentacost from South Sydney. Cagey bowler, not that quick but all over you, a real competitor and I loved the battle.
Laurie Mongahan from Roseville – just fast!
Laurie Monaghan - played cricket for Roseville and Rugby Union for Australia
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Playing lower grade shires cricket, no real spinners come to mind. They just bowl straight breaks.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
As an umpire I watched Shane Pargeter bat and it was a treat. You would hope he didn’t get out. Richard Chee Quee when he was at Souths was also a pleasure.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I saw a fantastic dig umpiring by Josh Clarke playing for Wests against Sutherland in 2019/20 where he scored a chanceless 176.
In 4th grade last year in the semi final Sydney Univeristy managed 4 for 315 and declared. Day 2 saw Sutherland 6 for 31 before lunch needing to hang on for a draw to go through to the final. Skipper James Hawksworth batted out the day remaining unbeaten on 110 with Sutherland ending on 9 for 231 and booking a spot in the final. An amazing dig!!
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
When I was selected in first grade for Bexley to opening the batting against Laurie Monaghan from Roseville. That is where I found out that the same bloke could swing the ball both ways. Far too good for me. Also when I made my first grade debut as an umpire it was a massive difference to 2nd grade. The intensity.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Ben Churcher for Georges River in Shires and in Premier Cricket Buddy Harriott and Ash Doolan are outstanding – all first grade keepers are. Tom Groth in Country Cricket is a freak!
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Gerard Price from Burwood Briars. Never gave up, gave 110% no matter what grade he played, always led and is the reason that Burwood Briars are such a great club. Sadly no longer with us.
Loved umpiring Sean Day from Strathfield – not quick but a clever bowler and again never gave up. Always kept you on your toes
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Kevin Croom at Bexley/Georges River no doubt. Cool calm and collected with a quiet assassin mentality. Could shatter a batsman with a simple low key comment. Loved his spinners
Kevin Croom and Bruce Whitehouse
You became an umpire, what was the attraction to start umpiring?
To be honest, in Shires you umpired yourself many years ago, and after opening the batting and getting out early often, you had nothing else to do so it seemed a natural thing when I stopped playing initially in 2004/05, so to stay in the game along came umpiring.
My first game was in 2005/06 - St George v Hawkesbury in 4s at Harold Fraser Oval. Warwick Hayes was the St George captain. I was lucky enough to take out the panel 4 medal in my first year.
How long did it take to progress through to First Grade?
That’s an interesting story. After 2005/06, I only umpired as a fill in in Shires cricket in 2006/07.
In 2007/08 I was awarded the Shires umpire of the year, and in 2008/09 I was lucky enough to umpire the Shires 4th grade final.
In 2009/10 I went back to Premier Cricket and won the panel 3 award. I then played a little and went back to umpiring in Shires in 2013/14 – and with Stephen Blomfield we umpired the 1st Grade final.
I did some fill in umpiring and returned to Premier cricket in season 2017/18 – Reginald Darren Goodger is very persuasive.
I debuted in first grade the same year – Northern District v Sydney University at Waitara – standing with the great man Darren Goodger. With Bede Sajowitz last season I was privileged to umpire the Green Shield Final between Northern District and Penrith also at Waitara. I have now managed 11 games in 1s – proud of that for an old bloke and have stood in 172 matches in Premier and Shires cricket.
Who were the umpires you admired most when you started out as an umpire?
Not really. As I moved on I picked out what I liked and ignored what I didn’t. Stephen Blomfield blew me away with the little things, but Darren Goodger is the gold standard
Darren Goodger
How did you find transitioning from a player to an umpire, did you have a strategy in mind that you’d be happy to share?
Just enjoy the game and don’t impose yourself – be invisible. It’s all about the players. Speak when spoken to, and always be respectful and humble. Always thank the players for the game at the end of the match.
As an umpire and managing a game are you able to share a story of an interesting moment or experience in a game?
It’s not overly funny but it sticks in my mind. Umpiring Wests and Bankstown in 2nd grade, a Bankstown player fielding at gully had a bit to say when I turned down an LBW. I felt it was only appropriate to respond and suggested after all these years I was standing in the wrong spot to make the call and thanked him for his advice. The Bankstown players were delighted that one of their players was “owned’ by the umpire. Didn’t get another peep during the day from him.
Who were the players you admired most from an umpires perspective?
Most cricketers are good blokes. I love the passion but I always love the players who know when to stop and understand the line between “banter” and rubbish. Anything players say that I haven’t heard before and make me laugh I rate.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
My cap fell on to the stumps hooking a ball which went to the boundary. Out hit wicket. I remember being mankadded in junior cricket following a week of coaching where we were told to back up at the bowlers end. I did and kept going and the bowler ran me out.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Again, no sports people jump out, but I would like to meet Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters, Peter Garrett and if he was still with us Gough Whitlam
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Richie Benaud
What was your favourite ground to play at and also umpire at?
I like umpiring at Hurstville, Pratten, Bankstown, Coogee. All first grade grounds are good to umpire at and all clubs have good people looking after you.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Personally when I scored 174, but much more enjoyable was when I scored 109 against my now work colleague the SCA’s Roy Formica.
However the best was when I captained Bexley 4th grade side winning the competition in 1995/96. I am also proud of the improvements made at my clubs grounds supported through grants
Bexley 4th Grade Premiers 1995/96
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Kevin Croom, Roy Amos and Paul Thomas
What are your hobbies?
Sport, grandchildren, love my music. Love rugby league
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Enjoy what you do
What is your occupation?
I have worked for Cricket NSW for the last 14 years. I work in the Cricket Performance Dept and my team oversees Premier Cricket (male and female), Shires and NSW Youth Championships. My speciality is I look after all the NSW Country Cricket representative programs, and I also work with the NSWDCA Committee.
