Victorian Turf Cricket Association locks in leadership after Steve McNamara’s passing

The Victorian Turf Cricket Association has moved to fill late president Steve McNamara shoes, appointing new leadership for the rest of the season.

Nathan Beever in action for Keilor. Picture: Hamish Blair

The Victorian Turf Cricket Association has locked in its leadership for the rest of the season following the passing of president Steve McNamara.

The league and local cricket across Melbourne was shocked when McNamara died unexpected earlier this month.

Vice-president Zoran Havranek will step up as interim president with secretary Deanne Trewin also set to play a major role.

Long-time secretary Russell Pollock has returned to assist with fixturing, with the remaining draw locked in this week.

Havranek thanked everybody that had pitched in to help cover McNamara’s huge workload and keep the season running seamlessly.

Andrew Cullen in action for Yarraville Club. Picture: George Sal

“We’ve spread the workload around, we’ve all stepped up understanding what the circumstances are, to ensure the season continues and continue Steve’s legacy.

“Deanne, who is our secretary, is assisting me with some of the things that Steve did and also picking up the pieces of what Josie (McNamara) was doing.

“Our former secretary Russell Pollock has come in to assist with the fixture and a couple of other reports we’ve got to do.

“Our umpiring director Kevin Glassenbury and appointments manager Gary Houston have done a lot of work and shared the workload with me.

“We’ve been fortunate enough that Cricket Victoria has reached out, the Victorian Metropolitan Cricket Union has reached out and also the clubs.

“Steve was a very honoured person, very well respected within cricket circles and a lot of the club have realised the amount of work he did, which was a thankful task at times.”

Havranek was especially thankful to the association’s club for running independently and not inundating the board with requests during the transition.

“Our clubs have been fantastic, they haven’t come to us with a lot of queries and not hassling us. The clubs understand what’s facing us,” he said.

“We’ve conducting weekly board meetings at the moment just to make sure we pick up any homeless task and making sure the cogs are turning.

“We’re certainly in a different realm at the moment and we’re working with Josie to make sure she’s OK and the family is well.”

Locking in the fixture was one of the major tasks facing the board as it had been a floating fixture when McNamara passed away.

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While a return to two-games was considered the explosion in COVID cases in the last month has seen a full slate of one-day games locked in.

A return to a three-game grand final series is also being considered.

McNamara will be farewelled on Thursday, January 27 at Fawkner Cemetary with the funeral to commence at 1.30pm.

A wake will be held at the Deer Park Club Hotel from 4.30pm.