East Ballarat is to salute every player who has represented the club’s first eleven in the Ballarat Cricket Association since entering the competition in 1986-87.
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The Hawks will recognise their contribution by presenting each of the 165 players with a numbered cap at a reunion at Russell Square on Sunday, February 10.
Club legend Terry Davies will have the distinction of getting number one, having been captain when East Ballarat debuted in the BCA firsts.
The event will combine with the club’s junior 40th anniversary celebrations.
Club president Mark Simpson said there had been an overwhelming response to the gathering.
“I not sure how many we’ll get there, but it won’t surprise me if it’s up around the 500 mark.
“It’s creating enormous interest.”
Simpson said while many people were already aware of the upcoming event, the club was still reaching out and eager to hear anyone interested in getting involved.
East Ballarat’s origins go back to the the Millbrook Cricket Club, east of Ballarat and formed in 1930 to play in the Mt Egerton association.
Millbrook was first affiliated with the Ballarat Cricket Association 1953-54 and in the mid-1960s made the move to Russell Square.
The club adopted the name Black Hill for its entry to junior ranks with an under-14 team in Ballarat 1978-79 under the direction of Mark Ryan, who remains a driving force at junior level.
Ryan also provides an continuing link with Millbrook, where he grew up and first played cricket.
It was not until after the installation of a turf wicket at East High and three seasons in the Marybrough District association that Millbrook-Black Hill expanded to have a full contingent of senior and junior teams to join the BCA club competition – filling as vacancy left by the departure of Sebastopol.
The club adopted the East Ballarat name in 1990-91 to reflect its geographic location.
Simpson said the upcoming celebration was a great opportunity to reflect of on the beginnings of the club all it had achieved on and off the field.
He said it had been particularly rewarding over the years to see the development and progression of youngsters through the playing ranks – such as Matt Short, Blake Thomson, Emma Lynch and Jacinta Goodger-Chandler – and ongoing growth of facilities and the programs now offered at Russell Square.
Simpson said anyone wanting to get in touch with the club about the reunion and anniversary could so through the Hawks’ Facebook page.