Flashback! - The Gordon-North Sydney Second Grade team of 2021/22
In 2021/22, UTS North Sydney joined forces with neighbours, Gordon, to enter the Women's Second Grade competition. It was the first time the Bears competed at that level, and provided a superb opportunity for our players to taste a higher level of competition.
We reproduce below the report from captain, Jessie Maclaine, that featured in our 2022 Annual Report.
For the first time ever, UTS North Sydney fielded a Second Grade combined with Gordon to create a team of various skills and experience. The team was dubbed “GNS” for the season and we had an absolute blast getting to know one another playing some very competitive cricket.
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Lucky for us, we scored the legendary Michelle “Gozzy” Goszko as our head coach who brought great energy, enthusiasm and guidance to such a mixed team. Even though she couldn’t be around in person for an extended period of time due to some health complications, she made such a significant impact to all players, supporters and even the opposition.
There were several ups and downs during the season against some extremely tough opposition. Despite how few games we ended up playing with all the wet weather, we had some fabulous individual performances:
· Grace Keating bringing up her maiden ton with a 6 against Northern District at Bon Andrews, the first ever female centurion in Bears colours.
· Samira Mitchell scoring her maiden ton for the Reds against Sydney at Chatswood Oval in our second 50 over match of the season which included a rare 100-run opening partnership.
· Liv Callaghan scoring 2 half centuries and taking 7 wickets throughout the season.
In addition to the above, I would have to say my favourite moment of the season would have to be when the team bowled Manly out for 69 giving us our first win. It was such a highlight for me as everyone contributed regardless of their role and we really came together as a team. For the record, 5 bowlers got wickets, 3 got catches and 4 players assisted in crucial run outs.
Even though we didn’t quite achieve fantastic results week in week out there was a tremendous network of people behind the scenes that made GNS such a fabulous experience for all.
Anushka Dongre on the attack
· Rob Lavery and Gozzy were fundamental to making GNS happen. Thank you for all your hard work in the background in getting the team off the ground and making it such a memorable season for us all.
· Michelle Goszko you are an absolute legend and inspiration to us all. Your dedication to the team was phenomenal and we are so lucky to have you around the game.
· Beny Chun, the fearless new President of the Gordon Reds, thank you for all your support throughout the season and for bringing us all together to form GNS.
· Jess Henry, you have always been a role model to those around you. You are outstanding at getting the best out of players, volunteers and sponsors during a cricket season so thank you for all your support.
· Michael Keating, Stephen Callaghan and Leonie Ridley thank you for helping each week with scoring, kit management and general support to the team and myself.
· Char Anneveld, thank you for helping out at short notice in Gozzy’s absence at training.
· Lucy Warren and Grace Keating stood up to the plate when asked to help captain the side without hesitation. You are both wise beyond your years and great teammates to have around. It was awesome also to see Lucy make her First Grade debut, playing three matches for Gordon (despite being a Bear!).
Lucy Warren in action for GNS
And finally thank you to every single player (26 all up across both clubs) who took the field for GNS. I hope that it is something you look back on down the track and say you are proud to have been a part of.
Bears in back row L-R: Charlotte Moss, Bianca Lozell, Chloe Day, Grace Keating, Adelaide Hicks, Anushka Dongre