Collins Park - Home of Narrabri Cricket

The Narrabri District Cricket Association welcomes you to its website.

The Narrabri District Cricket Association was formed on 1 September, 1921 at a meeting held in Jimmy McKay's refreshment rooms. Mr Fred Palmer was elected foundation President and Mr C. Humphrey Secretary-Treasurer.
The inaugural clubs comprised Wallah, Cooma, Bullawa Creek and Narrabri Commercials. Charle Keys recorded the first century in competition cricket and J.B. Wall the first hat-trick. The first district match as an Association was against Boggabri in 1921, with Narrabri 138 defeating Boggabri 35 and 101 by an innings and 2 runs. The Narrabri 1st XI was E. Garland, M. Soane, H. Parker, W. Sheehan, B. Ward, D. McDonald, Dr Henderson, C. Keys, W. Foster, J. Wall, W. McConahy & C. Curnow. Second grade cricket was introduced in the 1926-27 season.

The 1930's were described as Narrabri's golden era with players such as Commercial's Bill Peak, a fabulous run getter andkeeper/batsman Charlie Niland outstanding, whilst Old Boys boasted majestic ball striker Bill Foster and fast bowlers Ambrose Goodyer and Laurie Coleman. Other personalities of the era were classic fast bowler Bussy Potts, leg spinner Colin Grayson and future NSW player Fred Johnston.

After World War II the game was at a low ebb with Tom Le Cornu the only real star. Saturday afternoon cricket emerged a few years after the war and popularity increased. On February 26, 1950, Narrabri's first turf wicket was officially opened on Collins Park by the Mayor, Ald. Athol Green. Collins Park continues to be one of the top grounds in the North West and boasts the JF McNamara Sightscreens - relocated from the Sydney Cricket Ground. The combined efforts of former NSWCA Vice-President Roger Wotton and local cricket tragic Ross Panton resulted in the sightscreens relocation to Narrabri during the mid 1990's. More recently the old grandstand was destroyed by fire and has been replaced with a modern facilty in heritage style.

The 1960s challenge the 1930s as Narrabri's golden era. The NSW Sheffield Shield team played North West at Collins Park with locals Barry Boland and Brian Worley prominent in a gritty performance by North West. Sadly Boland, arguably Narrabri's most talented batting product tragically died at the age of 28. Narrabri had its initial success in the Nowland Cup in the 1966-67 season when the side captained by Ross Panyton defeated Tamworth in the final at Collins Park in front of a crowd of over 800. The side boasted two outstanding cricketers in batsman Tony Sheils and fast bowler John Magann. Magann is still regarded as the fastest bolwer ever to play grade cricket in Narrabri.

The game continues to prosper in Narrabri with a strong grade competition structure and the district 1st XI competitive at the regional level.