After 26 years being club President of the Sumner Cricket Club, many people think of it as Ray Steele's club.  He's pretty proud of that, but in his mind it's time to step back and let new blood step up to bat.

Ray said he will confirm his intentions and his successor at the clubs upcoming AGM, but would remain on as a player and committee member.  He also hoped to be involved in grounds keeping in the future.

"It's not going to be easy.  I still want to be involved with the club so I am not completely walking away" Steele said.  

It was a decision he has mulled over for more than a year.  When he told his wife Heather - the club's treasurer- she did not believe him.

"It's been very emotional for me to make the step down.  It's been a big part of my life so that's quite understandable."

His first year attending Sumner games was the year he was born, 1958.  His father had just joined the club as a player.  Ray himself has played in junior and senior teams and joined the committee in 1974.

As president, Ray have overseen a change in the club's approach to fundraising.  Taking them from just surviving season-to-season to having a decent surplus in the bank.  The club's St Leonards Square club rooms had also undergone a number of changes in that time; the installation of showers, extensions, balconies and a liquor license.

During his tenure as president both Mr Steele's son and grandson have played with the club.  His daughter Rebecca was unable to as there was no women's team, but had represented Canterbury and New Zealand and was once rated as the world's top female spinner.

Ray now hopes to watch his grandson's career develop, while still playing some afternoon cricket in the Christchurch Metro competitions.

Story courtesy of Matt Salmons, Bay Harbour News

Article added: Thursday 30 August 2018