Performance and Progress Recognised at Cricket Wagga Wagga

The Association has demonstrated a clear focus on growth guided by a forward‑thinking board led by Chair George Burley. Working closely with clubs, the board has prioritised understanding local needs, sharing resources and implementing initiatives that enhance both participation and operations. That collaborative approach has helped foster a more connected and resilient cricket community across the region. 

For Burley, the recognition is meaningful, but never viewed as an endpoint. 

“It’s always really lovely to be recognised for the work you’re doing within an organisation,” he said. “But it doesn’t say we’re done. There’s still plenty to be done. We want to keep pushing forward.” 

That mindset has driven a deliberate shift in how the Association approaches challenges, not waiting for issues to become crises, but identifying them early and acting decisively. This was most evident in the upgrade of the Harris Park turf wicket. 

“We knew we were going to run out of the turf material at Harris Park,” Burley said. “Rather than waiting for the problem to come to us, we wanted to go out and attack it.” 

Through detailed ground audits and strategic review, Harris Park was identified as a priority site. A successful ACIF grant application allowed an upgrade to the wicket that can be maintained sustainably, with construction planned for October 2026. Just as importantly, the upgrade will ensure the Association could continue to run junior cricket on turf, a key component of player development. 

“Future‑proofing grounds like Harris Park means we’re building systems that support cricket not just now, but well into the future,” Burley said. 

That emphasis on development is deeply personal for Burley. Growing up in a regional community, cricket was more than a sport. It was the centre of social life, linking match days with clubrooms and friendships that extended beyond the boundary. 

“In a country town, sport, and cricket in particular, drives social circles and social events,” Burley said. “You play during the day, then you come back together afterwards. That sense of community is incredibly powerful.” 

Clubs like South Wagga exemplify that culture. 

“It’s not just teams that play cricket,” Burley said. “It’s the families, the parents, partners and supporters who all turn up and become part of it.” 

That sense of belonging underpins the Association’s focus on keeping players in the game, particularly through the challenging transition from junior to senior cricket. 

“One of the biggest gaps we see is between under‑16 cricket and senior cricket,” Burley said. 

He remembers his own step into senior cricket vividly. 

“You get thrown in the deep end pretty quickly, but that exposure is where players develop resilience and get better.” 

That belief is perhaps best illustrated through cricketer Jake Scott. As a young player stepping into senior cricket, Scott faced challenging conditions early, but showed determination to stay involved. He was later named Player of the Match in a first‑grade final and went on to score hundreds in first grade at just 17. 

“That’s what opportunity does,” Burley said. “As long as players want to be out there playing cricket, our job is to give them environments that challenge them and help them grow.” 

Building those environments has required a focus on modern governance and practical decision‑making. For Cricket Wagga Wagga, that has meant creating systems that make volunteering clearer, more achievable and more sustainable. 

A key step has been the development of clear role descriptions and checklists across board and operational positions, ensuring that when someone steps into a role, or hands it over, the process is not overwhelming. 

“You want people to feel confident helping out,” Burley said. “If someone thinks they need to know everything straight away, they’re far less likely to put their hand up.” 

The board has introduced shared digital systems, including updated spreadsheets, cloud storage, formalised meeting minutes, strategic plans and ground audit checklists for every venue used across the Association. 

Governance improvements have also extended into how the game is presented and communicated. The Association places emphasis on digital communication, including regularly updated fixtures and results, player promotion on social media, professionally presented graphics and livestreaming matches. These changes have strengthened connection with families, players and supporters and improved accessibility. 

It has also meant being willing to innovate. One such decision was trialling a different cricket ball. While moving away from the traditional Kookaburra was met with resistance, the change saved $14000 across a six‑club, four‑grade competition. Rather than increasing playing fees, those savings were redirected into supporting umpires and curators. 

Innovation has also shaped how cricket is experienced beyond the players themselves. The evolution of the Australia Day T20 fixture has transformed it into a genuine community event. By shifting the grand final to a twilight fixture on the eve of Australia Day, the Association created a space for families, friends and newcomers to engage with the game. 

Plans are now underway to expand that concept into a festival‑style weekend, with multiple games, Cricket Blast sessions during innings breaks, and a shared atmosphere supported by food trucks, markets and an open‑gate policy. 

“It’s about creating something that brings everyone together,” Burley said. “Players, families and supporters all sharing the same experience.” 

Looking ahead, Cricket Wagga Wagga’s long‑term goals include hosting higher‑level women’s cricket, with ambitions to bring a WBBL fixture to the region and use elite cricket to inspire participation and expand women’s pathways. 

At the same time, the Association continues to grow through its multicultural communities, particularly among South Asian families where cricket acts as a cultural connector, with clubs hosting multicultural days across the Association. 

Through all of it, Burley’s motivation remains unchanged. 

“It’s nice to be recognised, but that’s not why I do it,” he said. “Cricket has given me great friends, great memories and great opportunities. This is just about giving something back.” 

For Cricket Wagga Wagga, Association of the Year is not an end point, but confirmation that planning ahead, backing people and strengthening community connections remain the most important investments the game can make.