Brothers Des and Rick O'Neill have been honoured by Cricket Victoria for six decades of service.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Shepparton siblings Des and Rick O’Neill are celebrating over 100 years of service to cricket in the region between them, as Cricket Victoria bestowed the pair with awards to commemorate their efforts.
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For more than half a century, the brothers have been involved in the sport in either a playing or organisational capacity, helping to shape the complexion of cricket in the Goulburn Valley in the process.
The O’Neill family’s long association with cricket in Shepp has stretched across four generations, with Des and Rick’s father having been a Shepparton Youth Club life member, alongside their sister.
In addition, Des’ sons and grandsons have carried on the tradition of playing the sport in what he described as a true “family affair”.
Out of the brother pairing, it was Rick, now 75, who first took to the crease all the way back in the mid-1960s, blazing the trail for the rest of the O’Neill brood to follow in his footsteps.
He represented the Shepparton youth club at senior level, as well as coaching the under-16s, which led to Des joining in 1968.
From there, the two siblings embarked on a journey that saw them become integral members of the sporting community in Shepparton and beyond.
Before hanging up his pads in 1995, Des represented Shepparton Youth Club over 300 times on the field, while also serving on the club’s committee for over two decades, including a stint as president.
“After playing in about 13 losing Grand Finals, I finally played in a winning one in 1992, which topped everything off for me,” he said, recalling the highlight moments of his playing days.
“My proudest moment was probably my time as club president, when the A-grade team won nine premierships out of 11 Grand Final appearances.”
The 76-year-old has also performed responsibilities as a scorer, sponsorship coordinator and volunteer during nearly six decades of service, and remains involved at the Shepparton Cricket Club to this day.
Brothers Des and Rick O'Neill have been involved in cricket in Shepparton for 60 years.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
When Shepparton Youth Club and Shepparton Cricket Club amalgamated in 2003, the sibling pair maintained their influence down at the new-look club.
“When they amalgamated, I went to their club and helped out again with under-16s coaching,” Rick remembered.
“That was a lot of fun and I also did a lot of volunteer work, such as umpiring for their D-grade side as well as at barbecues and that sort of thing.”
Twenty-three years following the merger, Rick was pleased as punch to be recognised for his tireless commitment to cricket in the region over the course of several decades.
“I didn’t realise I was going to be nominated as well - I thought it was only Des,” he said.
“It’s a real privilege and honour, with my family including my father and sister having been involved in the Shepparton Youth Club, it feels like an award for them (too).”
Outlining what it means to him to be honoured for his many years championing cricket in the region, brother Des duly acknowledged that he was immensely proud to receive the prize.
“A member of our cricket club nominated me and I didn’t know much about (the award) until I received an email from Cricket Victoria,” he recalled.
“Whilst you don’t have these things in mind to achieve during your career, it’s still a great thing to be rewarded and recognised for the service you have given in the community.”
