City & Suburban Cricket Association 1903 Inc.
History
The City & Suburban Cricket Association was formed at its inaugural Annual General Meeting at the premises known as, Aarons Hotel, Sydney on Monday, 14 July 1903.
The cricket clubs present at that meeting were:- Bank of NSW CC, Callan Park CC, Cammeray CC, Commercial Banking Co. CC, Double Bay CC, Gladesville CC, Glenwood CC, I Zingari (Aust.) CC, Leichhardt CC, Nondescripts CC, North Sydney CC, Paddington CC, Oriental CC, Petersham CC, Sydney CC, Wayfarers CC, Willoughby CC, Woolwich CC, University CC Yaralla CC and Zlo CC.
In 1903 Admiral Sir Harry Rawson GCB GCMG RN, Governor of NSW accepted invitation to become the Association inaugural Patron. Such Vice Regal Patronage has been assented to the current day. The Governor of NSW has continually since 1903 been the Patron of the Association.
As the meeting progressed, it was agreed that the main objective of the Association is to protect the interests of the Social Cricket Clubs in Sydney. It was born at a time when the national interest in Cricket had grown substantially. Much interest was attributed to the first Test cricket match between Australia and England in 1877. Arising from this “Test” match was the famous Ashes, which was not contested for until 1882.
Following on from 1903, cricket structures began to be formalised to cater for the game’s popularity to organise the interest and talent of those playing the game. In Sydney in a decade before, Electorate Cricket had formed the foundation of the Sydney Grade Cricket Competition. In doing so, it had left some of Sydney’s oldest cricket Clubs looking for alternatives. In the same year the Association became an affiliate of the NSW Cricket Association.
In the Association’s inauguration year, nineteen clubs registered for affiliation. Those Clubs were:- I Zingari (Australia) CC, Yaralla CC, Nondescripts CC, Commercial Banking Company of Sydney CC, Sydney District CC, Callan Park Hospital CC, Glenwood CC, Leichhardt-Balmain CC, Bank of NSW CC, Orential CC, Woolwich CC, Double Bay CC, University Vets CC and Wayfarers CC.
In 1904 an additional twenty-two clubs were admitted for affiliation, they were:- North Sydney CC, Leichhardt-Petersham CC, Stanmore-Clifton CC, Randwick CC, Beecroft CC, Manly CC, Enmore Veterans CC, Union Bank CC, Rose Bay CC, Rydalmere Hospital CC, Cintra CC, Waverley CC.
Cricket Grounds that were used in the early days were: Ruchcutters Bay, Callan Park, Gladesville, Leichhardt Oval, Domain, Agricultural Ground, Waterloo Park Oval, Cammeray, Yaralla Park, Double Bay, Wentworth Park, Norwood Park and Chatswood. The use of these grounds enables the Association to coordinate the conduct of cricket for its affiliated clubs.
Throughout the decades affiliated clubs numbered from fourteen in 1903 and twenty-two clubs in 1904. As the Association grew from 1910 there were fifty-three in 1950’s and over 1700 players registered with their clubs.
The World War 1 years saw the young men of Sydney serving the Empire and depart to Europe and the Middle East. It had a profound impact upon the Association for just 6 clubs were able to continue as going concerns. During the 20s and 30s the Association again returned to strength and by the time of the outbreak of World War 2 in 1939 there were 47 teams making up the Association. The young men of Sydney once again left the playing fields for the world’s Battle fields and the Association’s numbers declined 16 returning to strength in the post war years. By 1969 the Association again was in a position of strength and comprised 53 Clubs and by comparison included the following: AMP Society, Balmain, Bank of NSW, BDYS, Briars, Castlereagh, Central Cumberland, Cricketers Club NSW, Cintra, Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, Gordon Veterans, Hawkesbury College, Hunters Hill, Homebush High Old Boys, IBM Aus Ltd, Lane Cove, Manly-Warringah, Mosman Veterans, N.A.P, Nondescripts, Northern Districts, North Sydney Veterans, Old Aloysians, Old Cranbrookians, Old Knox Grammerians, Old Sydneians, Parramatta Mental Hospital, Pennant Hills, Radio Physics, Scots Old Boys, St George Veterans, St George DCC, Sutherland Shire, Sydney Judean, Sydney University, Sydney University Veterans, Waltons Tld, Wyvern, Yaralla and I Zingari (Australia) CC.
Today, there are five foundation affiliated Cricket Clubs with over 100 year cricket histories, that are still playing in the Association’s fixtures. Sydney University CC (1852), I Zingari (Australia) CC (1888), Yaralla CC (1891), Paddington CC (1893), and Nondescripts CC (1899).
Likewise, the famous Paddington C.C. was founded in 1893-94 and was an inaugural member of the Sydney Grade Cricket Competition in 1903. The Club can boast as its former members being Australian Test Cricketers:- A.C. Bannerman, M A “Monty” Noble, Victor Trumper, Jack Fingleton, Arthur Morris, Colin McCool. NSW players: - Ted Cotton, Mort Cohen and legend cricket commentator, Alan McGilvray. Two of these members have SCG Stands named in their honour. Paddington CC still plays in the Association today. Test Umpires, Dick French OAM (AMP) and Graham Reed OAM (I Zingari (Australia) C.C. have played and represented the Association in annual fixtures versus NSW Cricket Association XI and NSW Teachers Association XI. Both men are Vice Presidents of the Association. Our records indicate that is has documented the names of former Test, State and District Grade Club cricketers who have played for the various affiliated clubs of the Association during their time.
The Association was an affiliated member of the NSWCA, After re-structure was then affiliated with the Sydney Cricket Association (SCA). However, constitutional change had de-affiliated the Association from the SCA. The Association is now an affiliated member of the NSW Districts Cricket Association (NSWDCA).
Our Association is proud of its historical record and contribution to Cricket. It is well structured, managed and financially sound. Clubs play 35 Limited Over cricket on Saturday or Sunday afternoons. It is played in a competitive yet social atmosphere on turf pitches. We have an internal competition (Jack Pace Memorial Shield) that is played over five competition rounds with quarter & semi finals. The final is played at historical Goddard Park in March each year.
In keeping with change, the Association has trailed a T-20 midweek day/night competition with outstanding success. This has enable the Association to introduce this concept of mid-week cricket as an alternative. Likewise, the Association is interested in supporting Women’s cricket that has wide popularity.
The C&S Cricket Association today is a vibrant collection of 19 teams. It is pleasing that Easts Dolphins CC (Easts Pacers) have become an affiliated member of the Association. This will provide ongoing turf cricket experience for developing young cricketers. The Association is ever supportive to accommodate a Club to become affiliated under its cricket umbrella.
As it has done throughout its history the Association is shaped by the broader social, economic and world events. Teams no longer represent hospitals or companies. There are fewer teams representing geographical communities and a greater number representing the social communities. There are some Clubs that participate in other forms of the Game throughout Sydney and others are no more. As previously mentioned there are still four foundation Clubs playing that have been with the Association since its inception.
Sadly, Clubs will come and Clubs will leave as society lifestyle and commitments change. In 2023, SRT XI C.C., and Marrickville Saggers XI joined the Association and in 2024-25 season the FRNSW XI C.C., and Marrickville Simpson (Seniors) XI have been recently accepted to joined the Association’s club ranks. These clubs are affiliated members of the Association.
With change of how cricket administration is applied, the Association has installed its own website under the name of City & Suburban Cricket Association 1903 Inc. to market our brand of cricket and identity to the wider cricket community of the Sydney Metropolitan Area, and that of the State of New South Wales. The Association’s website is linked to CNSW PlayHQ.
However, as is the case over a 100 years ago and throughout its history, the players who participate and support the Association, all share the common thread of the love of the game.