Victorian Turf Cricket Association president Steve McNamara passes away

Long-standing VTCA president Steven McNamara is being remembered as a “true gentleman” and patron of local cricket in Melbourne’s north and west.

VTCA president Steve McNamara has passed away.

The Victorian Turf Cricket Association is in mourning following the loss of president Steve McNamara.

A long-standing servant of suburban cricket in Melbourne, McNamara passed away on Saturday.

He was awarded life membership of the VTCA in 2019 and would have marked a decade as association president in July having taken the reins in 2012.

The competition’s Division 2 is named in his honour.

McNamara previously served as junior coach, junior administrator, vice-president and president of Hoppers Crossing Cricket Club through 14 years and is a life member.

VTCA president Steve McNamara has passed away.

He played Sub-District cricket for Broadmeadows, in the North West Metro for Campbellfield and played football at Pascoe Vale.

He leaves behind wife Josie, sons John and Daniel and two grandchildren.

Long-time friend and VTCA secretary Deanne Trewin paid tribute to a “true gentleman”.

“Steve and I were more than just cricket associates, I’ve known Steve and Josie for more than 15 years,” she said.

“Steve was like a brother, he was a true gentleman, never had a bad word against anyone and if he did have a disagreement, next time it was forgotten about.

“He loved his family to bits and cricket has lost a true gentleman.

“The VTCA, I’m not sure if we can all stand up as well as Steve did, he was diligent, he took on more than he probably needed to as chairman.

“As a friend, he’s going to be well and truly missed.

VTCA stalwart Russell Pollock said McNamara left giant shoes to fill.

“We’ve been mates since before he came onto the VTCA board, so it’s come as a massive shock,” he said.

“It’s a massive hole to fill, he and Josie have almost run the association for 10 years.

“He lived for the VTCA basically, he spent all his time thinking of ways to make the association better and took the brunt of the criticism as president’s do.

“It’s going to be a loss that the VTCA is going to find very hard to plug.”

The VTCA has an executive meeting on Tuesday with the administration of the remainder of the season a priority.

Hoppers Crossing president Jake Porter said the club would pay tribute to a Cats legend on Saturday.

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“Steve was a fantastic servant of Hoppers Crossing Cricket Club on the committee and as a coach,” he said.

“We want to send our condolences to Josie, John and Daniel and his family, he’ll always be an important part of the club’s history.

“It was a shock to all of us, he’ll be dearly missed.”

The association also lost former president and life member William Pewtress OAM in November.