Service to Sport: Geoff Spotswood a player, mentor, innovator

This season  marks  a  rare milestone in the remarkable career of Geoff Spots­wood – 45 years of Sydney grade cricket.

Geoff Spotswood shows Alex Nowlan, 10, the neck guard he created. Picture : Phil Hillyard

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This season  marks  a  rare milestone in the remarkable career of Geoff Spots­wood – 45 years of Sydney grade cricket.

The Bankstown Bulldogs cricketer, affectionately known as Spotty, has earnt many titles – as player, mentor and innovator.

On the pitch, he has notched up 10,500 runs in all grades, the highest in Bankstown District Cricket Club’s history and taken more than 440 wickets from a mammoth 4500 overs.

But it has been his leadership off the pitch that has caught the eye of all who cross his path.

“Spotty is one of the great characters of Sydney grade cricket,” said Bankstown District Cricket Club vice president Brian Freedman.

“He’s been a wonderful contributor over a lifetime.”

From coaching roles, both official and unofficial, to serving on the committee, Spotswood has mentored hundreds of club youngsters including Stephen and Mark Waugh and David Freedman.

In 2007, Spotswood was named a life member for his service to the club.

Innovation has also been one of his key contributions to cricket.

After witnessing the tragic loss of Phillip Hughes in 2014, Spotswood and former teammate Nick Geale developed HENZ neck guards to make the sport safer for players.

“Apart from wanting your kids to be happy, you just want them to be safe,” Spotswood said.

The HENZ neck guards have been recognised by Cricket Australia and have already been delivered to many junior cricket clubs across Australia.

Bankstown District Cricket Club treasurer Martin Klumpp, said in a time where elite sportspeople rarely continue competing beyond their first class careers, Spotswood’s contribution was remarkable.

“The fact that Geoff is still competing and mentoring young players at 60 years of age is something that should be celebrated,” Mr Klumpp said.

Geoff is The Express’s latest nominee in the Junior Sports Star Awards category Service to Sport, sponsored by Simonds Homes.

The other categories are Junior Sports Star, sponsored by Rebel Seam Spirit, sponsored SportsTG and Young Sporting Spirit, sponsored by Simonds Homes.