home » About the club » history of ANZA

 History of ANZA

From 1975, when John Goodban, a former President of United World College Cricket Club (UWCCC), set up student and social cricket on Saturday afternoons at United World College in Singapore, the foundations of UWCCC were formed. From these humble beginnings interest grew, culminating in 1980 with the formation and entering of a UWC Senior team in the Singapore Cricket League and a UWC Student team in the Junior Cricket League.

The first major trophy was won in 1982 when the Senior team won the Division 1 Knockout Cup. Thereafter, UWC undertook radical ground improvements. Following a difficult period for the Club, by 1989 the Club flourished under the leadership of Chris Pianca and Tom Seal, with three teams playing in the Singapore League and a social cricket team gracing the playing field on Saturday afternoons. By now the ground was one of the best in Singapore. League titles and knockout cup finals followed. This was a direct result of the depth of talent available to UWCCC, especially from the strong Antipodean contingent within the Club membership amongst other nationalities.

With the rezoning of land use by the Singapore Authorities in 1999, it was with great sadness that the school had to give up their cricket ground, thus putting an effective end to the excellent work undertaken by the UWC teachers and the UWCCC membership in making UWCCC a premier cricket club in both adult and student cricketing circles within the South East Asian region.

Without a home ground, the recruitment and retention of quality players, traditionally expatriates from Australia and New Zealand, became increasingly difficult. To ensure the future of the Club, and to increase the possibility of securing a regular home ground, UWCC decided to align with ANZA (Australia & New Zealand Association) as an affiliate club and commenced operations under the ANZA Cricket Club banner from 2003. This affiliation provided a source of talent from ANZA with a membership exceeding 6000 and its marketing reach, as well as providing support with respect to corporate and administrative aspects.

Under the leadership of then President Ron Holmes, and with the support of his committee, the transition from UWCCC to ANZACC occurred seamlessly to ensure the continuation of a well-established cricketing fraternity in Singapore where cricket enthusiasts from all countries were most welcome. What was missing however, was a home ground which saw the club playing home games based out of Ceylon Sports Club (CSC) and for a while social matches out of the Singapore Polo Club.

This prompted a search for a new home, a challenge in a country where space dictates a shortage of playing fields. However, in late 2003 former club member Bruce Jones-Walker identified land at Turf City (former horse racing venue succeeded by  Kranji Turf Club) and then in collaboration with then President the Ron Holmes initiated a collaboration with ANZA to successfully negotiate a lease of the inner track land area for the development of 2 cricket fields. Club members Phil Davies and Glenn Wright led grounds works / pitch installation and the 2 largest cricket fields in Singapore were born. Ron Holmes passion for the establishment of the venue was a key factor but Ron returned to Australia mid 2004 and Clive Tilbrook took over as President. Clive had led the operationalisation of the Turf City grounds and development of arrangements for inclusion in the SCA fixture as well as facilitating utilization by ANZA for other sporting groups. Over 2005 Clive successfully managed the rental and fixturing for SCA Cricket, ANZA soccer, Touch Rugby and various school sporting events that has made the Turf City venue such a wonderful asset for ANZA overall and ANZA Cricket Club in particular.

In 2005 Clive also initiated an affiliation with the Australian Chamber of Commerce (AUSCHAM) following an annual social cricket challenge that prompted a keen interest within the "CHAMPS" in entering the newly established SCA Division IV. With ANZACC's established presence as one of the largest clubs in the league we were able to facilitate their smooth entry into the league. In 2006 the ANZA Champs were born and have been a great addition the ANZA Cricket Club as the fourth division team in the SCA and supported by a core of AUSCHAM players along with other ANZACC players interested in playing Division IV.   

On the field during this period the results where mixed due to the significant turnover in players coming and going with mid table finishes being the order of the day, but with our best eleven on the track in any division capable of beating the best teams. First grade captain David Jacquier took over from Clive as President at the start of 2007. This was a year remembered mainly for the passing of a great clubman, Denis Meyer, following completion of a cricket match. Denis was the Captain of the Dreamers and had been instrumental in 2006 in generating a real resurgence in social cricket within the club and was recognized that year when awarded the Clubman of the Year Trophy. In a fitting tribute to Denis and the spirit in which he played the game and contributed to the enjoyment of cricket at the club, the "Clubman" trophy was thereafter dedicated to his memory (Denis Meyer Clubman of Year). 

Our Life Members:

    • Mark EAGERS
    • John GOODBAN
    • Gary HIGGIE
    • Ron HOLMES
    • Philip JONES
    • Kevin PARKER
    • Chris PIANCA
    • David ROBERTSON
    • Tom SEAL
    • Keith UNDERWOOD
    • Phil RENDER
    • Clive TILBROOK

Involving ANZA has also brought benefits to the Singapore Cricket Association in their efforts to increase the appreciation of cricket in corporate circles in Singapore and to enhance the links between the Singaporean and the Australian and New Zealand expatriate communities in general.

© Anza Cricket Club, Singapore

page last updated: 02 September, 2008

Site Map Feedback