GBCC Seniors Celebrate 2025/26

Gymea Bay Cricket Club celebrates big 2025/26 season at Senior Presentation Night

More than 90 members, life members and guests packed the Gymea Hotel on 18 April to recognise standout performances, club service and a season full of highlights.

More than 90 members, life members and guests gathered at Gymea Hotel on 18 April as Gymea Bay Cricket Club came together to put a full stop on the 2025/26 season—reflecting on the highlights, recognising the people who made it happen, and applauding performances across every one of our seven senior teams and inaugural Thursday night T20 teams.

On the night’s honour roll, Matthew Zuber (3rd Grade) set the tone, claiming the Bruce Boxsell Trophy after a remarkable regular season that delivered 480 runs—including a century—at an average of 120.

From there, the focus shifted to one of the club’s standout all-round efforts, with Leo Matthews (8th Grade) taking home the Alan Craston Shield. Matthews’ season featured more than 400 runs (including a century), 12 wickets, 10 catches and two run outs—an impact across every discipline.

That theme of influence continued with Oliver Saunders (8th Grade), who was voted Player’s Player and awarded the Jack Grigg Memorial Trophy after a strong season highlighted by 23 wickets and five catches.

Behind the stumps, Matthew Cown (3rd Grade) was recognised as the club’s leading wicket-keeper, receiving the Lance & June Handley Award after recording 14 dismissals.

On the team front, the club joined in three cheers for our 8th grade team who picked up the sole premiership for the senior club in 2025/26.

Off the field, the Graeme Thornley Clubperson of the Year Award went to Morgan Shoebridge, whose season of work spanned nearly every corner of the club. From driving the Bradman Oval Day and the Lord Taverners T20 Gala Day, to coordinating the new storage shed and solar power for the Kevin McGrath Training Facility, to managing club apparel and equipment, Shoebridge’s contribution was matched by his leadership as captain of 4th Grade and the inaugural Thursday night T20 teams.

The evening’s defining moment came when Andrea Handley received a standing ovation after being honoured with the Cricket NSW Community Distinguished Service Award. A contributor to Gymea Bay Cricket Club and the Sutherland Shire Cricket Association for more than 25 years, Handley has served GBCC as an Executive Committee member, scorer, team manager and barbeque attendant, and has also held the role of Association Treasurer across numerous seasons. Already a Life Member of both organisations, her state-level recognition was warmly celebrated by everyone in the room, with husband Brett also sharing words on the night.

The celebrations continued with special guest Richard Chee Quee joining Club Coach Mark Sundin to share a series of stories from the game, keeping the room entertained as the night rolled on.

As the evening drew to a close, the club acknowledged the work behind the scenes—particularly first-time Executive Committee members President Mark Lavendar and Secretary John Frazer—for an outstanding first season in their roles and for introducing new initiatives that were welcomed across the club. John Halstead was also recognised for his ongoing service to the senior program as Senior Registrar.

Finally, Gymea Bay Cricket Club thanked the Gymea Hotel for hosting the presentation night and acknowledged the valued support of the club’s 2025/26 sponsors—Menai Sand & Soil, Signature Property Agents, Physio Focus, More than Meat, Gymea Hotel, Handley Business Solutions and Sportsgift Trophies—who helped make the season such an enjoyable one.