The Big Bash 2015

It was a perfect winters day on Saturday the 27^th of June to hold The Big Bash, an indoor cricket match game day to fundraise for the children of Norfolk Island Central school going on the year six tour in 2 months’ time.

The Norfolk Indoor Big Bash is the brain child of Jason Ellem who devised the concept for the year six tour fundraising group in previous years, it has been a popular event each year since at the Cheryl Tennis club.

With the green mats rolled out and the 6 teams kitted out  in their matching team colours, the games got underway. In true Indoor Cricket format there was 10 per side in each team including at least 2 females. There were plenty of ‘interesting’ calls from the umpires as well as from the hecklers up on the ‘randa. Fines were given for player ‘issues’ such as dummy spits, dropped catches and running team mates out etc. We got to see to see the interesting side of competitive sports, but mostly it was great fun and loads of laughs.

Col after watching all afternoon got injured on his first run with the Queenslanders and had to pass the bat to the captain.

The Cricket run of the day went as follows NSW (blue) beat Raiders (gold), Barbarians (white) beat Raiders  and Barbarians beat NSW. Kiwi (black) beat QLD (Maroon), Norfolk Island (green) beat QLD and Norfolk Island Beat Kiwi.

The only time you will find me on a Queensland team, because I am married to the Qld Captain! I tastefully chose hot pink instead of Maroon to wear (and a sneaky blue cap) ;)

Before the grand final between the Norfolk Island team and the Barbarians was held, there was now a break to grab some extra food (the steak sandwiches and toasties cooked up by the fundraising group were divine) and to hold the ‘auction’.

Auction items were organised by the year six parents and included some very yummy coconut pies, boxes of vegies, NSW and Canberra Raiders signed NRL jerseys and hats, Cricket gear signed by Alfie Langer and a Framed & signed classic wallabies jersey which fetched top dollar of the night. The Queensland Captain had to be reminded to stop bidding against himself, but he got the pies he wanted.

After the Auction, play resumed at sunset for the BIG BASH grand final under the lights. This nail biting match was between team Norfolk Island and the Barbarians. The Barbarians eventually claimed a grand final victory.

It was a fabulous day that raised over $2000 for the children going on tour to Sydney, Canberra and Uluru. ($1045 during the auction alone. Thanks to everyone who made a bid or two.)

Extra special thanks from the 2015 Year six tour fundraising group to The Cheryl Tennis club for hosting the event, Jason Ellem for all your pre-work to allow smooth running during the day, The gas centre for your constant support, those who donated prizes to the auction and for the prize winning team. And thanks to all the players and your families who came, enjoyed, ate and drank merrily while cheering on the other teams.

Indoor Cricket on Norfolk Island. We don’t need a fancy schmancy purpose built centre. We have a community. When this community gets together for a common purpose such as fundraising for people who need it, this community shines!