Nick Cooper, Steve Warrington and Scott Larsen joined a very, very select group last week, when they became Orange District Junior Cricket Association’s (ODJCA) newest life members.
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The trio were officially awarded life membership at Thursday night’s formal ceremony at the Parkview Hotel, attended by almost 50, following in the footsteps of just five others.
Cooper, Warrington and Larsen joined the inaugural life member Terry Rayner (awarded in 1985), along with Alan Dowler (1990), Carl Sharpe OAM (1990), Peter Iffland (2004) and Matt Tabbernor (2010).
“It’s pretty cool, the last one was awarded a pretty long time ago,” Cooper, who was ODJCA president for four years, enthused.
“Life members have been few and far between for the ODJCA so it is pretty exciting, I don’t think it’s something anyone ever really expects, but it’s certainly nice for us to get this kind of recognition.”
Cooper was ODJCA president from 2011-12 to 2014-15, he took over from Warrington, who was first appointed in 2006-07.
Larsen was treasurer from 2010-11 until 2013-14, and was also secretary in 2015-16.
“Steve did a magnificent job while he was president, he thoroughly deserves this too,” Cooper said.
“Steve and Scotty were both pretty excited too, especially Scotty. I’m more pleased for him than any of us.
“So much of what he did and does goes unnoticed and unrecognised, so to see him get this kind of recognition is very exciting.”
Although there was plenty of them, Cooper said there’s three highlights that stick out during his and Larsen’s time in charge.
“Winning the Orange City Council’s Australia Day Sporting Organisation of the Year award (in 2013) is definitely one,” Cooper said.
“(Former secretary) Steve Ryan, Scotty and I were all very proud of that. Being able to take over the [Western NSW Junior Carnivals] from Carl Sharpe and build on his amazing work is another.
“There’s so much work that goes into them but they’re a fixture now, it has to be done and the committee now is doing a great job.
“The Centenary Cup is probably the biggest one though. It’s in the senior competition, but it’s an ODJCA initiative and I think it’s been the highlight of Orange cricket for the last five years.
“There’s so many other things, highlights, but they’re probably the three big ones.
“We need to thank everyone who helped us, volunteered and the current committee too.”