The Rise and Rise of Terry Hannam

On February 28, 1954, young Kingston all-rounder Terry Hannam, was selected for the senior Canberra XI team, led by future NSW Shield player John O’Reilly, to play Monaro at Cooma.

A mere eighteen months before his senior representative debut, Terry was simply a promising 14-year-old junior playing 3rd grade for Kingston, however, promising enough by seasons end to win the clubs batting and bowling awards for that grade.

At the beginning of the 1953/54 season and based on his previous years grade and U17 representative performances, the 15-year-old Terry skipped second grade and started the year in firsts.

Terry immediately performed well at first grade level, scoring valuable lower order runs with his powerful hitting and consistently taking wickets with his medium-pace bowling.

Batting at number 4 for the ACT U17 side against Monaro U17’s, Terry scored a dashing 92 with 15 fours and two sixes, to help his side into the final of the ‘Old Executive Cup’ competition.

On the back of 7/27 against Turner and 5/27 including a hat-trick against Combined Services, to go with his consistent run scoring, the ACT senior selectors penciled in Hannam’s name for the match against Monaro, a truly meteoric rise from 3rd grade to the top for the 15-year-old all-rounder.

With his selection for that Monaro match, at the tender age of 15 years 259 days, Terry Hannam remains the third youngest senior representative player in the 99 years of Canberra cricket.

Terry Hannam went on to become a Northern Suburbs stalwart with both his sons, Garry and Brett playing for the club.

Brett, also an ACT representative, played in the victorious 79/80 Norths First grade premiership side, before pursuing a successful AFL career.