Hibiscus Coast Cricket Club

Spring into Cricket with Hibiscus Coast Cricket Club

At Hibiscus Coast Cricket Club, the big news is that we have a new home at Metro Park in Millwater. Our main ground will host Auckland Premier Reserve Cricket, which is a real boost for our region. We are working with Council to have everything ready, including temporary club facilities, for October. We are also starting to see progress made towards developing a plan for a multi-use club facility that will be available for community use. In other news, our top team is preparing for their first season in the Auckland Premier Reserve Grade, after winning promotion last year. We’ve also got a new full-time club manager, who is working on launching new initiatives this Summer to encourage more girls, boys and families to participate in cricket.

When we think of cricket, we think of more than just a sport, we think of the “spirit” of cricket. The late Martin Crowe explained this best in his MCC Cowdrey Lecture in 2006: “The spirit of cricket is, of course, about the behaviour of players on the field – acceptance of decisions, respect for one another, integrity. But it is also about an enthusiasm for the game; not just aggression but also to share a sense of fun. And fun is what life is all about.”

Children who play cricket early are introduced to the spirit of cricket, with important life lessons of respecting others, integrity and having fun. Registration is now open for all players, and we’d love to see more first-time girls and boys joining in the fun of cricket this season.

For more information: www.facebook.com/HibiscusCricket www.hibiscuscricket.co.nz

If you have any questions about joining, supporting, sponsoring or partnering with our club in any way, contact Tony Naidu, Hibiscus Coast Cricket Club Manager: tnaidu@aucklandcricket.co.nz or 022 028 4553

10 millwaterbook of the month

Days Are Like Grass by Sue Younger

This month, author and guest reviewer Karen McMillan introduces another great read “Days Are Like Grass” by Sue Younger

Convinced by her partner Yossi to leave London, to return to New Zealand’s shores with her 15-year-old daughter, pediatric surgeon Claire Bowerman finally agrees – as long as he promises not to bring up her family. She’s uncomfortable being back in her home country, haunted by events from her childhood, but immerses herself in her work.

But when parents refuse to let her operate on their son – even though without surgery the boy will die, Claire finds herself in the media, accused of bullying. But this becomes the least of her worries when people from her past emerge, bringing to life painful events she would rather forget. Is her father innocent or guilty of murder? Sentenced to prison, but then pardoned, has justice really been served?

Sue Younger writes beautifully, and she has created complex characters to really care for. Claire, in particular, is a fascinating woman. Confident and able in her role as a surgeon, she is full of hidden turmoil about her childhood past. The plot is fast-paced, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next. But there is also a quiet elegance to the story that sparks many questions about how childhood shapes us as adults and how the past impacts on the present – even if we try to keep these worlds apart. I would definitely recommend this wonderful novel.

Karen McMillan, author of The Paris of the West, www.karenm.co.nz