Clubs of the SSJCA

The Aquinas Comets is a broad, community-based cricket club - open to all players.

The first Aquinas Cricket Club teams were entered into the SSJCA competition in the 1994 / 95 season. The 1996 / 97 season saw the involvement of Tom Somerville and Peter Evans with the Club. They coached and managed the Under 14E's which became the first premiership winning team for the Club. Both Peter and Tom have continued their association with the Club in various capacities to this day. Our Club has honoured both Peter and Tom for their outstanding involvement with the Club by naming the senior player of the year trophy in their honour, the Somerville Evans Trophy.

The first Committee was elected on the 22 May, 1997 and the Club became incorporated on the 1st July 1997. During July 1997 the Club's first open registration days were held. Seven teams were nominated for the 1997 / 98 competition ranging from the Under 8's to the B6 seniors team. Our Club continues to not only field teams in the SSJCA competition, but also runs a very popular In2Cricket program for our very youngest of cricketers in the 4-8 year old age groups. We have offered this program for over 10 years.

In the ensuing years Aquinas has been successful in having both senior and junior teams each season finish premiers or runners up. In 2000 /0, in addition to the normal SSJCA competitions, with the assistance of Illawong, Bosco and Heathcote we organised a successful Super 8 competition for the Under 8 and 10 year old players. It remains equal with our most successful season as a Club with three of our teams winning the competition, the 12B's, 12E's and 16C's whilst the 10B's and 12F1's finished runners up. The pinnacle of our on-field success occurred during season 2007 / 08 with 5 of our 9 eligible teams making the finals and 3 of those becoming Premiers (our 14Es, 12Ds and 10Cs). Season 2008 / 09 saw 3 of our 8 eligible teams making the finals and another premiership with the 14Cs (many of whom comprised last year's 14Es). In season 2009/10 we had our 16Cs reach the final and winning the premiership, with the majority of these boys coming from the 14Cs and 14Es from the last two years so achieving a rare 'three-peat' - an outstanding result.

The 2002 /03 season saw Tom Somerville step down as President after 5 years leading the Club. The Club continued to operate for the season under difficult circumstances without a president. The Club only survived thanks to a number of hard working committee members who took on various roles in an effort to keep the Club afloat and ultimately Allan Graham was elected as President for the 2003 / 04 season. Bryan Gilchrist was elected President the following year, supported by an outstanding Committee who came together at the start of that season. Under Bryan's leadership, the Club prospered and grew and the four years that this Committee were together will long be recognised as a watershed period for the Club.

In 2004 / 05 the Club celebrated their 10th Anniversary with a magnificent dinner with special guests being former Australian players Doug Walters, Len Pascoe and Jeff Thomson. Season 2005 / 06 saw our Club change its name to the Aquinas Comets Cricket Club, with a new Comets logo and a coloured playing shirt.

The end of 2007 / 2008 season saw Bryan Gilchrist standing down as President and the election of Roy Amos as President, who remains in that role today. Our Committee has grown into a great blend of old and new faces, and representative of all of our junior age teams. This bodes well for the future administration of our Club.

Our history is peppered with individuals who have provided outstanding service to our Club and who are integral to where we sit today. We are proud to have seven Life Members of the Club - Peter Evans and Tom Somerville (two founding fathers of the Club) who were recognised in 2008 and Bryan Gilchrist, Paul Magrath, Barry Prasser, Jeff Cooney and our latest inductee Peter Shepherd (administrators, coaches, managers and players across our junior and senior teams). These individuals will hold a place in our history.

Our Club:

• believes cricket all players should be taught both technically and in the true spirit of the game
• believes there should be a focus on having fun while learning and playing
• believes in opportunities for all to contribute to all facets of the game
• believes all are entitled to coaching & development opportunities
• believes in a family friendly environment

We are a young and vibrant Club, a local district club open to all. With the youth of the area and the dedication of our Committee, managers and coaches, the Aquinas Comets Cricket Club will continue to provide a nurturing and competitive cricket environment.