Steve Litherland: Former Coomera Hope Island Cricket Club president loses battle to illness

The dear friend of a Gold Coast cricketer has shared his heartbreak after he lost his battle to illness.

Cricket Gold Coast have paid tribute to a “true gentleman” after the former Coomera Hope Island Cricket Club president lost his battle with illness on Saturday.

Steve Litherland, 48, was a life member, past president, player, captain and junior coach of Coomera Hope Island before he lost his hard-fought battle with lung cancer on September 10.

Gold Coast Cricket co-ordinator Barry van Peppen met Mr Litherland when he was 14-years-old as a junior cricketer at the club, before working with him later in life.

“He was a monumental person, I don’t think there would be a person on the Gold Coast who would have a bad thing to say about him,” Mr van Peppen said.

“He was a true gentleman. He commanded respect but he treated everybody on an equal footing.”

Mr van Peppen played cricket with Mr Litherland all the way up until last February, where Mr Litherland was captain of the over 40s team.

“He was a very, very good player who put me to shame. He was a great bowler and a great batsmen with a good eye. And a good tennis player.

“They still talk about him at Cricket Gold Coast and say ‘geez, it would be good to have Steve back on the board’.”

Chris Spies, Mr Litherland’s cousin and a life member of Coomera Hope Island, said Steve was throwing a cricket ball around Oxenford park from as early as he could run.

“His parents lived right behind the cricket club,” Mr Spies said.

“So it was common for our family members to watch at his parents place overlooking the ground.”

Mr Litherland began at Coomera Hope Island as a junior where his father was junior president of the club, before playing senior cricket and becoming club president.

Even in his illness, Mr Litherland was heavily involved in Cricket Gold Coast as the treasurer and on the committee.

“He was a big hearted person, he always went out of his way to help people,” Mr Spies said.

“It didn’t matter how hard his problems were, he always had time for other people.”

Mr Litherland leaves behind his wife, Jodie, and children Courtney, 21, and Ryan, 17, who also plays cricket for Coomera Hope Island.

The Coomera Hope Island Cricket Club paid tribute on Facebook saying it was a “huge loss” for the club.

“Steve and his family have been involved with the Crocs for over 20 years,” they wrote.

“Our thoughts are with Steve and his beautiful family, Crocs teammates and friends.

“Rest in peace Steve, and thank you for your huge contribution to our great club.

“Crocs for life.”

Friends paid tribute to former club president Steven Litherland with a middle stump in his honour.

Others paid tribute on social media, sharing their devastation.

Gregory Allan Little said: “(Steve was a) great man always up for a laugh and did plenty for his club and the association.”

Lauren Haydon wrote: “A sad day for our club ... thank you for everything you have contributed to our great club. You will be sorely missed.”

Those close to Mr Litherland paid tribute to him with a middle stump memorial.