• TEAM OF THE DECADE SHORTLIST đŸ» The final four contenders for our Team of the 2010s were the most recent to make their Bears debuts, but sadly only one is still at the club. Toby Lester’s sharp left-arm pace made him a valuable weapon during his three-season stint as the club’s overseas pro. Even when not in the wickets, Toby applied constant pressure to opposition batting line-ups with unerring accuracy and skilful reverse swing. Matt Alexander’s rapid, left-arm pace has proven a handful for opposition bats during his two seasons at the Bears. Matt’s 48 wickets led all comers in 2019/20 and earned him selection in the NSW Premier Cricket team of the season. In Round 1, against a strong Bankstown line-up, Matt collected club limited-overs record figures of 7/38. Adam Crosthwaite played only one season at the Bears, but it was truly remarkable. Adam collected five centuries in the season to finish joint runner-up in the O’Reilly Medal as well as winning our Bradman Medal. Only Scott Hookey in 1994/95 has compiled more runs in a season for the club. While only at the Bears for a single season, James Crosthwaite’s athletic glovework and dangerous batting was an integral part of the side’s run to the 2018/19 semi-final. James’ lateral quickness often rendered first slip a bystander and his batting was destructive. Voting is now open - follow the link in our bio. #BewareTheBear #nswpremiercricket
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    TEAM OF THE DECADE SHORTLIST đŸ» The final four contenders for our Team of the 2010s were the most recent to make their Bears debuts, but sadly only one is still at the club. Toby Lester’s sharp left-arm pace made him a valuable weapon during his three-season stint as the club’s overseas pro. Even when not in the wickets, Toby applied constant pressure to opposition batting line-ups with unerring accuracy and skilful reverse swing. Matt Alexander’s rapid, left-arm pace has proven a handful for opposition bats during his two seasons at the Bears. Matt’s 48 wickets led all comers in 2019/20 and earned him selection in the NSW Premier Cricket team of the season. In Round 1, against a strong Bankstown line-up, Matt collected club limited-overs record figures of 7/38. Adam Crosthwaite played only one season at the Bears, but it was truly remarkable. Adam collected five centuries in the season to finish joint runner-up in the O’Reilly Medal as well as winning our Bradman Medal. Only Scott Hookey in 1994/95 has compiled more runs in a season for the club. While only at the Bears for a single season, James Crosthwaite’s athletic glovework and dangerous batting was an integral part of the side’s run to the 2018/19 semi-final. James’ lateral quickness often rendered first slip a bystander and his batting was destructive. Voting is now open - follow the link in our bio. #BewareTheBear #nswpremiercricket
  • TEAM OF THE DECADE SHORTLIST đŸ» Today's contenders include three mainstays of the current First Grade side, and a man with two 150+ scores for the Bears in as many seasons. Thomas Jagot became a Bear in 2015/16 and, since then, has gone from strength to strength. A master of technique and focus, Tom has notched up hundreds in each of the of the past four seasons, including 3 in 2018/19. His form that season saw him finish joint runner-up in the O’Reilly Medal. Ben Bryant joined the club in 2016 and has been a reliable performer with the bat. Ben moved to the top of the order in 2017/18 and his class showed in 2019/20, collecting 449 runs at over 40 and striking his maiden century against Mosman in Round 3. Olly Knight provides value with both his right-arm seamers, and big-hitting left-handed strokeplay. 2019-20 was a career season for Olly, and included 82 from 32 balls (including a scarcely believable 10 sixes) in a T20 against Easts, as well as several mature 2-day innings and strong contributions with the ball. Anjan Oberai was part of the team for two seasons in the middle of the decade. A solid opening bat, when Anjan got in, he went big, as evidenced by an undefeated 166 against Manly in 2016/17 (one half of the club’s record third wicket partnership) and 184* against Fairfield Liverpool the following season. Read more by following the link in our bio. Voting will open tomorrow after we announce the final four players on the shortlist. #BewareTheBear #NSWPremierCricket
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    TEAM OF THE DECADE SHORTLIST đŸ» Today's contenders include three mainstays of the current First Grade side, and a man with two 150+ scores for the Bears in as many seasons. Thomas Jagot became a Bear in 2015/16 and, since then, has gone from strength to strength. A master of technique and focus, Tom has notched up hundreds in each of the of the past four seasons, including 3 in 2018/19. His form that season saw him finish joint runner-up in the O’Reilly Medal. Ben Bryant joined the club in 2016 and has been a reliable performer with the bat. Ben moved to the top of the order in 2017/18 and his class showed in 2019/20, collecting 449 runs at over 40 and striking his maiden century against Mosman in Round 3. Olly Knight provides value with both his right-arm seamers, and big-hitting left-handed strokeplay. 2019-20 was a career season for Olly, and included 82 from 32 balls (including a scarcely believable 10 sixes) in a T20 against Easts, as well as several mature 2-day innings and strong contributions with the ball. Anjan Oberai was part of the team for two seasons in the middle of the decade. A solid opening bat, when Anjan got in, he went big, as evidenced by an undefeated 166 against Manly in 2016/17 (one half of the club’s record third wicket partnership) and 184* against Fairfield Liverpool the following season. Read more by following the link in our bio. Voting will open tomorrow after we announce the final four players on the shortlist. #BewareTheBear #NSWPremierCricket
  • TEAM OF THE DECADE SHORTLIST đŸ» Today’s quartet of contenders all made their debuts in the first half of the decade, and include two captains and both our highest run-scorer and highest wicket-taker of the 2010s. James Campbell is a career Bear and has been a mainstay of the side through much of the decade. James has evolved from a tear-away to a skilful practitioner of pace bowling, and his 221 wickets (all claimed in the 2010s) sees him sit 18th on the club’s all-time first grade wicket-takers list. First Grade captain since 2016/17, Justin Avendano has scored more runs than anyone else for the Bears in the 2010s. Justin now sits 17th on the Bears all-time first grade run-scorers list. A punishing right-handed bat, Justin has played a slew of remarkable innings for the club. Kurt Neely came to the club from Newcastle during the 2012/13 season and established himself in the First Grade side the following season. A sound gloveman and bat capable of opening the innings, Kurt was also a steadying dressing-room influence. Jaik Mickleburgh scored a mountain of runs, and skippered the side, during his two-season stint as overseas pro in the middle of the decade. Capable of batting anywhere in the top 4, 12 of his 24 innings for the club were in excess of 50. Read more about all four by following the link in our bio. Watch this space for the rest of the contenders this week, before voting opens on Friday. #BewareTheBear #NSWPremierCricket
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    TEAM OF THE DECADE SHORTLIST đŸ» Today’s quartet of contenders all made their debuts in the first half of the decade, and include two captains and both our highest run-scorer and highest wicket-taker of the 2010s. James Campbell is a career Bear and has been a mainstay of the side through much of the decade. James has evolved from a tear-away to a skilful practitioner of pace bowling, and his 221 wickets (all claimed in the 2010s) sees him sit 18th on the club’s all-time first grade wicket-takers list. First Grade captain since 2016/17, Justin Avendano has scored more runs than anyone else for the Bears in the 2010s. Justin now sits 17th on the Bears all-time first grade run-scorers list. A punishing right-handed bat, Justin has played a slew of remarkable innings for the club. Kurt Neely came to the club from Newcastle during the 2012/13 season and established himself in the First Grade side the following season. A sound gloveman and bat capable of opening the innings, Kurt was also a steadying dressing-room influence. Jaik Mickleburgh scored a mountain of runs, and skippered the side, during his two-season stint as overseas pro in the middle of the decade. Capable of batting anywhere in the top 4, 12 of his 24 innings for the club were in excess of 50. Read more about all four by following the link in our bio. Watch this space for the rest of the contenders this week, before voting opens on Friday. #BewareTheBear #NSWPremierCricket
  • TEAM OF THE DECADE SHORTLIST đŸ» Today's we reveal a very strong quartet of contenders for our Team of the Decade, all of whom were instrumental in our success in the early part of the decade and three of whom are First Class and BBL players. David Guthrie, a right-arm quick with genuine pace, was a key component of the attack throughout the beginning and middle of the decade. He was also a powerful batsman, playing a key role with the bat in our successful limited overs campaign of 2012-13 in particular. Nic Bills was the team's spearhead for the first four seasons of the decade and his statistics speak for themselves. His several dominant performances included the club's only First-Grade match 10-wicket haul of the 2010s, against Sutherland in 2010-11. Daniel Hughes, a left-hander of peerless grace, controlled Bears' innings from the top of the order for the first three seasons of the 2010s, and had a habit of posting big scores when other batsmen could not find their feet. Jay Lenton was the team's rock behind the stumps for the first four seasons of the 2010s. A sublime gloveman and a skilled bat, he claimed twice as many dismissals and scored almost 500 runs more than any other Bears First Grade keeper during the decade. Read more about all four by following the link in our bio. #BewareTheBear #nswpremiercricket
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    TEAM OF THE DECADE SHORTLIST đŸ» Today's we reveal a very strong quartet of contenders for our Team of the Decade, all of whom were instrumental in our success in the early part of the decade and three of whom are First Class and BBL players. David Guthrie, a right-arm quick with genuine pace, was a key component of the attack throughout the beginning and middle of the decade. He was also a powerful batsman, playing a key role with the bat in our successful limited overs campaign of 2012-13 in particular. Nic Bills was the team's spearhead for the first four seasons of the decade and his statistics speak for themselves. His several dominant performances included the club's only First-Grade match 10-wicket haul of the 2010s, against Sutherland in 2010-11. Daniel Hughes, a left-hander of peerless grace, controlled Bears' innings from the top of the order for the first three seasons of the 2010s, and had a habit of posting big scores when other batsmen could not find their feet. Jay Lenton was the team's rock behind the stumps for the first four seasons of the 2010s. A sublime gloveman and a skilled bat, he claimed twice as many dismissals and scored almost 500 runs more than any other Bears First Grade keeper during the decade. Read more about all four by following the link in our bio. #BewareTheBear #nswpremiercricket
  • TEAM OF THE DECADE SHORTLIST đŸ» The first four players shortlisted for our Team of the Decade are the Aitken brothers and Scott Rodgie, all of whom were well-established before the 2010-11 season before playing huge roles during the 2010s. Rob Aitken was a stalwart of the side throughout the decade. As well as becoming only the second man in the history of Sydney Grade Cricket to score 11,000 runs and take 600 wickets, he scored the second most runs and took the second most wickets for the Bears during the 2010s. James Aitken started the decade as a rock of the team’s middle-order and ended it tying opposition batsmen in knots with his canny seamers. His consistent batting performances made him one of only five to compile 2,000 runs in the decade, and also lifted him to fifth in the club’s all-time First Grade run-scorers. Glenn Aitken captained the team during the early part of the decade and again in the middle, and was one of only two players to take 100 wickets and score 1,000 runs during the 2010s. A fine off-spinner who sits 10th on the Bears’ all-time First Grade wicket-takers list, Glenn also played several important innings with the bat. Scott Rodgie was the First Grade captain from 2012/13 to 2014/15, and his powerful batting and heavy seamers were crucial to the side in the first half of the decade. Scott sits 13th on the club’s all-time First Grade run-scorers’ list. Read more by following the link in our bio. Voting will open on Friday. #BewareTheBear #nswpremiercricket
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    TEAM OF THE DECADE SHORTLIST đŸ» The first four players shortlisted for our Team of the Decade are the Aitken brothers and Scott Rodgie, all of whom were well-established before the 2010-11 season before playing huge roles during the 2010s. Rob Aitken was a stalwart of the side throughout the decade. As well as becoming only the second man in the history of Sydney Grade Cricket to score 11,000 runs and take 600 wickets, he scored the second most runs and took the second most wickets for the Bears during the 2010s. James Aitken started the decade as a rock of the team’s middle-order and ended it tying opposition batsmen in knots with his canny seamers. His consistent batting performances made him one of only five to compile 2,000 runs in the decade, and also lifted him to fifth in the club’s all-time First Grade run-scorers. Glenn Aitken captained the team during the early part of the decade and again in the middle, and was one of only two players to take 100 wickets and score 1,000 runs during the 2010s. A fine off-spinner who sits 10th on the Bears’ all-time First Grade wicket-takers list, Glenn also played several important innings with the bat. Scott Rodgie was the First Grade captain from 2012/13 to 2014/15, and his powerful batting and heavy seamers were crucial to the side in the first half of the decade. Scott sits 13th on the club’s all-time First Grade run-scorers’ list. Read more by following the link in our bio. Voting will open on Friday. #BewareTheBear #nswpremiercricket
  • VOLUNTEER IN FOCUS - ALAN GIBBONS đŸ» Our final profiled volunteer for this National Volunteer Week is Alan Gibbons, who carries out a host of roles in our women's and girls' section - in his words "assisting Michelle Goszko in coaching the Brewers team, helping Jacqui Eyles organise the weekend's teams, scoring for Brewers and 3rds, driving players to/from cricket, and anything else needed to get the players out there doing their thing." Alan got into cricket in 2015 when he volunteered to coach the girls U13 reps team for North Shore, that his daughter Amy was part of. The Gibbons family joined the Bears at the start of the 2019/20 season with Any looking for more opportunities at Brewer level after four years of reps and club cricket. As well as Alan involvement, his wife Sarah started playing for our Women's Third Grade team and thoroughly enjoyed her first season too! When asked what he enjoys about the club, Alan says, "Michelle is awesome and watching the girls love their game is an absolute pleasure." It's our pleasure to have you and the family as part of the club, Alan - thank you! #BewareTheBear #nvw2020
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    VOLUNTEER IN FOCUS - ALAN GIBBONS đŸ» Our final profiled volunteer for this National Volunteer Week is Alan Gibbons, who carries out a host of roles in our women's and girls' section - in his words "assisting Michelle Goszko in coaching the Brewers team, helping Jacqui Eyles organise the weekend's teams, scoring for Brewers and 3rds, driving players to/from cricket, and anything else needed to get the players out there doing their thing." Alan got into cricket in 2015 when he volunteered to coach the girls U13 reps team for North Shore, that his daughter Amy was part of. The Gibbons family joined the Bears at the start of the 2019/20 season with Any looking for more opportunities at Brewer level after four years of reps and club cricket. As well as Alan involvement, his wife Sarah started playing for our Women's Third Grade team and thoroughly enjoyed her first season too! When asked what he enjoys about the club, Alan says, "Michelle is awesome and watching the girls love their game is an absolute pleasure." It's our pleasure to have you and the family as part of the club, Alan - thank you! #BewareTheBear #nvw2020
  • BEARS TEAM OF THE DECADE đŸ» You will soon have the chance to be a selector for the ultimate Bears First Grade side - the team of the 2010s. Over the coming week, we will reveal a shortlist of 20 players and their statistics over the last 10 years. On Friday, we will open voting, allowing you to pick your XI and captain. Who's the first on your team list? #BewareTheBear #NSWPremierCricket
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    BEARS TEAM OF THE DECADE đŸ» You will soon have the chance to be a selector for the ultimate Bears First Grade side - the team of the 2010s. Over the coming week, we will reveal a shortlist of 20 players and their statistics over the last 10 years. On Friday, we will open voting, allowing you to pick your XI and captain. Who's the first on your team list? #BewareTheBear #NSWPremierCricket
  • VOLUNTEER IN FOCUS - LUKE SMITH đŸ» Our next profiled volunteer is Luke Smith, who was the matchday ground manager at Bon Andrews during last season. He made the place run like clockwork with his catering, cleaning, drinks mixing, marking white lines during intervals, assisting with scoring, and much more besides. Luke has loved cricket since watching Brett Lee terrorise batsmen as he grew up, but is a batsman himself. He's been involved with the Bears on and off for 10 years, and recalls that, aged 17, he was part of a Third Grade side bowled out for just 8 runs! Luke was out of the game for a couple of years due to injury, but came back to the club at the start of the season as a volunteer, knowing how much it helps players to have someone to look after the little things so they can focus on the game at hand. Fortunately for Luke, his injury has recovered enough to allow him to play again, but he continues to help out around the club where he can. Luke's played at Northern District and in Adelaide and Auckland and, since returning to the Bears, has appreciated seeing positive changes to culture, commitment and development of players. He says, "The club has excellent facilities and personnel, and the continual push to be better on and off the field is a draw card." #BewareTheBear #NVW2020
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    VOLUNTEER IN FOCUS - LUKE SMITH đŸ» Our next profiled volunteer is Luke Smith, who was the matchday ground manager at Bon Andrews during last season. He made the place run like clockwork with his catering, cleaning, drinks mixing, marking white lines during intervals, assisting with scoring, and much more besides. Luke has loved cricket since watching Brett Lee terrorise batsmen as he grew up, but is a batsman himself. He's been involved with the Bears on and off for 10 years, and recalls that, aged 17, he was part of a Third Grade side bowled out for just 8 runs! Luke was out of the game for a couple of years due to injury, but came back to the club at the start of the season as a volunteer, knowing how much it helps players to have someone to look after the little things so they can focus on the game at hand. Fortunately for Luke, his injury has recovered enough to allow him to play again, but he continues to help out around the club where he can. Luke's played at Northern District and in Adelaide and Auckland and, since returning to the Bears, has appreciated seeing positive changes to culture, commitment and development of players. He says, "The club has excellent facilities and personnel, and the continual push to be better on and off the field is a draw card." #BewareTheBear #NVW2020
  • VOLUNTEERS IN FOCUS - CHRIS HIGGS & RACHEL PRYCE đŸ» Today we cast the spotlight on Chris Higgs and Rachel Pryce, who got in touch a year ago offering to volunteer with us as they wanted (in their words) "to give back to the local community that has embraced us as Australian Citizens" after moving from the UK. Being "an active cricketer and cricketing widow for many years", the local cricket club seemed a great choice! Of course we gratefully accepted their offer and consider ourselves very lucky to have Chris and Rachel as part of the club. Over last season, they carried out a number of roles on matchday, including manning the canteen and sausage sizzle, Chris was the voice of North Sydney Oval over the tannoy for our T20 day, and together they drummed up publicity for the day and raised awareness of the club amongst local businesses. We look forward to Chris and Rachel's continued involvement, and are delighted to hear how happy they are to have joined the Bears. #BewareTheBear #NVW2020
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    VOLUNTEERS IN FOCUS - CHRIS HIGGS & RACHEL PRYCE đŸ» Today we cast the spotlight on Chris Higgs and Rachel Pryce, who got in touch a year ago offering to volunteer with us as they wanted (in their words) "to give back to the local community that has embraced us as Australian Citizens" after moving from the UK. Being "an active cricketer and cricketing widow for many years", the local cricket club seemed a great choice! Of course we gratefully accepted their offer and consider ourselves very lucky to have Chris and Rachel as part of the club. Over last season, they carried out a number of roles on matchday, including manning the canteen and sausage sizzle, Chris was the voice of North Sydney Oval over the tannoy for our T20 day, and together they drummed up publicity for the day and raised awareness of the club amongst local businesses. We look forward to Chris and Rachel's continued involvement, and are delighted to hear how happy they are to have joined the Bears. #BewareTheBear #NVW2020