Cricket NSW recognises iconic players and administrators, celebrates record participation and performance in 2024–25 season
Alex Blackwell, Len Pascoe, and Kevin Greene AM were conferred Life Membership of Cricket NSW during the organisation’s Annual General Meeting held on Monday night. The AGM also celebrated significant milestones in performance, participation, and governance during the 2024–25 season.
🏆 Life Memberships awarded to cricket icons
Blackwell, one of Australia’s most accomplished women’s cricketers, was recognised for her 18-year playing career and continued service to the game as a Board Member. She captained the NSW Breakers to seven of their 13 Women’s National Cricket League titles during her tenure and led Sydney Thunder to victory in the inaugural WBBL season in 2015.
On the international stage, she played 251 matches for Australia, scored over 5,000 runs, and won five Women’s World Cups, including one with her twin sister Kate in 2005.
Len Pascoe, the fiery fast bowler from the 1970s and 80s, was also honoured with Life Membership. Pascoe claimed 203 wickets in 54 First-Class matches for NSW and was instrumental in the Blues’ 1982–83 Sheffield Shield title. He also took 117 wickets in international cricket across 14 Tests and 29 ODIs and starred in World Series Cricket.
The Hon. Kevin Greene AM was recognised for his outstanding off-field service to cricket in New South Wales. A former Minister for Sports and Recreation and a long-time President of St George Cricket Club, Greene served on the Cricket NSW Board for 13 years and received an AM in 2023 for services to Parliament, local government, and community sport.
🙏 Bob Simpson AO remembered
Cricket NSW Chairman John Knox paid tribute to the late Bob Simpson AO, who passed away in August at age 89. Simpson’s legacy as a player, captain, and coach was commemorated, with acknowledgement of his Life Membership, Hall of Fame induction, and selection in the NSW Team of 150 Years.
📈 Season highlights – Participation, performance, and financial growth
The 2024–25 season was hailed as a success, with Cricket NSW reporting strong outcomes across elite performance and grassroots growth:
- 🏆 The Breakers won the Ruth Preddey Cup (WNCL champions) for a record 21st time
- 🔥 Sydney Thunder reached the BBL|14 Final; both Sixers (BBL) and Thunder (WBBL) made finals
- ⚖️ The Blues narrowly missed finals in Sheffield Shield and Dean Jones Trophy
- 📊 11% year-over-year increase in 5–12-year-olds playing cricket (50% growth over two years)
- 👥 170,000 total participants statewide — up 3% from last season
- 📣 Record membership numbers for both Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder
- 💰 An operating surplus was reported
- 🏗️ Ongoing development of Cricket Central
⚖️ Governance updates
At the AGM, Ed Cowan, Courtenay Smith, and Richard Timbs were re-elected to the Board of Directors. John Knox and David Gallop were reappointed as Board Appointed Directors.
The Honourable Margaret Beazley AO KC was reappointed as Patron-in-Chief, while Hon. John Howard OM AC and Basil Sellers AM returned as Vice Patrons. Sellers was also presented with a birthday gift to celebrate his 90th birthday and ongoing contribution to cricket in NSW.
