Surfers Paradise cricket and football players remember late Gold Coast sports figure Chris Connell a year after his death

“A heap of people had to step up and fill the roles he had,” Surfers Paradise senior vice president Scott Day describes the man power needed to fill the void left by the late Chris Connell a year on from his death.

FRIENDS and teammates of the late Chris Connell have remembered the cherished Gold Coast cricket figure with a beer in ‘Chris’s Corner’ in the Numinbah Valley.

It’s been a year since Connell lost his life on July 2, 2019, and the pain of losing the Surfers Paradise Cricket Club member has not dissipated.

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Those closest to him at both the Surfers Paradise Cricket and Australian rules Clubs honoured the popular clubman by spending last weekend camping at his favourite spot and recounting their favourite memories of Connell, who died at the age of 43.

Surfers Paradise cricket and Australian rules players standing around the sign labelled 'Chriso's Corner' at Numinbah Valley. Picture: Supplied.

“A heap of the boys went out to Numinbah where he liked to go camping and spent the weekend out there,” Surfers Paradise Cricket Club senior vice president Scott Day said.

“They have a designated area with a sign up on a tree that says ‘Chriso’s Corner’.

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“They had a good time remembering the good times they had with him.”

Day said at the time of Connell’s death it would take half-a-dozen people to fill the void left by him, such was his devotion to the club, and it came to fruition.

Chris Connell (bottom row, far left) with members of the Surfers Paradise Cricket Club. Picture: Taken from Facebook.

“A heap of people had to step up and fill the roles he had,” Day said.

“He was the secretary, the third grade captain and opening bowler, a middle order batsman, bought the beer and stocked the fridge, cleaned the change room and coached the under-17s.”

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