Page 7 - WPHCC 2023-2024 Cricket Season Yearbook

Future challenges / opportunities
Our greatest challenges are external factors, and these will only get bigger over time.
Population growth, especially around the new Metro stations of WPH and Cherrybrook, high cost of living and housing costs for families in our catchment area are already significant factors. At a time where we need more children participating in sport and reducing screen time, the decision by the NSW Government to apply a Means Test to Active Kids Vouchers means that less families will be able to access this registration support payment.
Add to this the already inadequate number of grounds to play and train on requires us to work collaboratively with the Association on non-traditional playing options (mid-week, twilight, perhaps even on Sunday’s).
We can plan and therefore be prepared for these incremental changes, which I can promise you are coming, and we commit to provide you with information on changes to how we when we know of them.
Next season we will refresh our 5-year strategy to build a plan around how we are going to manage these changes.
President’s Award
Traditionally, the President’s Award acknowledges that person who has made a significant contribution to our Club over the season. We are fortunate to have so many outstanding volunteers.
Like last season, there are joint winners – Connor Hindmarch and Will McLennan.
Connor Hindmarch
Connor has done an outstanding job in taking over from Harrison Norrell as Head Coach. The Academy and Skills sessions have gone from strength to strength, his work with the schools has been great and he is developing a plan to have a pre-season Academy initiative.
Will McLennan
Will is on our Club Executive with responsibility for social media and communication and is one of our young high achievers. Specifically, he:
• Setup, dealt with CNSW and delivered a very successful Junior Leadership program that will become a regular initiative
• Developed, presented and is delivering our social media strategy
• Has worked closely with Ross A on refreshing our Club website.
Congratulations to both Connor and Will who have made significant and lasting legacies.
Closing thoughts
The 2023-24 season has been another very successful season, and this is due to the extraordinary contribution of our volunteers.
I have noted earlier that there are significant challenges for all Community based sports that will only increase over time. We are well placed to face these challenges and use them as opportunities.