The Annual General Meeting of New Zealand Croatia Cricket Incorporated will be held at the offices of Harvey’s Real Estate, 530 Te Atatu Road, Te Atatu Peninsula, Auckland at 6:30pm Wednesday 22 November. All welcome!
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TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT Kookaburra NZ Croatia Xl vs Auckland Cricket Developing Future Aces (DFA) Cornwall Park – 10am (50 overs) Thursday 23 November 2017 A strong Kookaburra NZ Croatia XI, featuring two former New Zealand Test representatives and one first-class player, has been named to play Auckland Cricket's Academy cricketers in our annual season-opening fixture. The annual encounter is designed to challenge up-and-coming young cricketers and give them a unique opportunity to learn from playing the country's battle-hardened veterans. With this year's Kookaburra NZ Croatia XI features three former BLACKCAPS in Dion Nash, Richard Jones and James Marshall as invited players, there can be little doubt Auckland's talented young DFA side will be in for a challenging time trying to reverse last season's loss to the Cro's at Cornwall Park over 50 overs. We look forward to another excellent one-day battle between the young and the restless!! Special appreciation to our partners Kookaburra Cricket, Busck Prestressed Concrete, Kumeu River Wines, and Triumph & Disaster Kookaburra NZ Croatia Xl Brad Kneebone (wk) Matt Vujcich Richard Jones John Vujnovich James Marshall Will O'Donnell Tony Govorko Craig Little Dion Nash Joseph Yovich © Matt Jones Josh Fisher James Piskulić Support crew: Manager: Grant Jackson (Kookaburra New Zealand) Drinks/Gumma for the day: John Arnerich Impact player and lurker: President Tony Govorko New Zealand Croatia Cricket is thrilled that our young Waitakere rep Ben Lister has been contracted to the Auckland Aces for the first time for the 2017/18 season. Yet to be capped for Auckland, the call-up means Ben earns his maiden professional retainer and one of the 15 top spots in the Aces 2017/18 squad!
Ben was born in West Auckland on New Year's Day in 1996 and his great-grandfather Victor Grbic hails from Zivogosce. Both Ben and his younger brothers Victor and Mate have all represented New Zealand Croatia over the past two seasons, a highly talented trio from Waitakere and Liston College. Ben has impressed in six appearances for Auckland A over the past two summers at NZC's national Provincial A tournament in Lincoln, and cuts a shape at some six foot three inches tall: an athletic left-arm medium quick and a very elegant right-hand batsman who always looks like he has time. Aces Head Coach Mark O’Donnell commented that “Ben is an exciting prospect and has been on the radar for a while. Being a left-armer gives him a natural point of difference to most bowlers and we are looking forward to working with him more closely. “Ben offers some natural pace and natural bounce, he needs a good Strength & Conditioning programme to set him in good stead for the season. Based on last year, and BLACKCAPS’ availability, we will have to rotate through our seamers so there’s an opportunity for him.” All of which sounds exceptionally promising for a first-class debut for Ben this season! AWESOME news, shot Waitakere and congrats from all of us Ben!!! Luck was against us in the back half of the 2016/17 season.
First a weather bomb put paid to the hosting of the annual Cros v Bros (New Zealand Croatia v Northern Maori) fixtures in Whangarei, then our annual Cros v Pros (NZCPA) T20 was dropped from the 2016/17 calendar due to scheduling difficulties this year. Finally, due to limited member availability, our mooted off season tour to Apia was postponed, with a view to rescheduling in the 2018 off-season. In the meantime we look forward to seeing everyone at our AGM, details to be announced on our social channels in due course. We wish everyone a very happy off-season! NZ Croatia Cricket Committee At Cobham Oval this Sunday 12 March 2017, Twenty20 doubleheader.
Joseph Yovich (c) Tony "Tonci" Govorko (w) James "Jimmy Skillet" Piskulic Dominic Smith-Hodgson Matthew "Matty Vu" Vujcich Dusan "the man" Hakaraia Josh "Poster boy Croat" Fisher Tem "Roscoe" Hodson Brad "Captain Nemo" Bennetto Ian Page Rafe Fannin Hayden Keast Congratulations to all above and especially City CC players Ian Page, Rafe Fannin and Hayden Keast on what will be their first appearance for New Zealand Croatia and great to spot the long lost Original Brad Bennetto back from catching sprats round the world. You have been warned. A new fixture for the Cros this season. Bring it Kaipaki. NZ CROATIA v Kaipaki Cricket Club at Kaipaki home ground Sunday 26 Feb 2017. Free entry 40-over match from 10.30am. TEAM Joseph Yovich John Vujnovich Anthony Govorko Matthew Vujcich Craig Borich Josh Fisher Jason Brajkovic James Piskulic Ryan Majstrovic Dusan Hakaraia Dean Devcich Dominic Smith-Hodgson Scorer: Leanne Piskulic Croatians go into bat for Kiwi sport NZCC Media Release 30 November 2016 For a club that’s been going just four years, New Zealand Croatia Cricket is doing all right. They’ve got a 2016 BLACKCAP on their books in Anton Devcich, some of Auckland and Northland’s sharpest players falling over themselves to play for them and a season calendar that would be the envy of most wanderers’ clubs. Tomorrow on Cornwall Park’s number one ground they’ll take on Auckland Cricket’s Developing Future Aces — the name bestowed on their top under-19s prospects. It’s the third year in a row that Auckland Cricket has sought out New Zealand Croatia for a one-day season workout ahead of the serious business of trying to win the national under-19s title, which begs the question — why? “It must be something about us Kiwi Croatians,” quips Joey Yovich with a hint of mischief and a germ of truth. “We fight hard, work hard, we’re not here to muck around. Right from the beginning, our team set its standards high.” The club was born when longtime Northern Districts allrounder Yovich, former Waikato Valley wicketkeeper Tony Govorko and former Auckland A rep John Vujnovich looked around and realised how many cricketers there were floating around the traps evidently of Croatian extraction. “The names can make it pretty easy to spot a fellow muski,” says Hamilton-based Govorko, the new club president. “But what happened is once we got up and running, all these players whom we hadn’t known were also Croatian came out of the woodwork. The likes of Adrian and Dominic Smith-Hodgson, and James and Charles Bevin.” Govorko and Vujnovich also represented Croatia itself at ICC regional level (yes, they do play high level cricket in Europe) and, while most Croatians at home and abroad would claim football as a national religion, in New Zealand the Croatian influence can be felt in every sporting code from tennis (think Onny and Michelle Parun, Marina Erakovic), rugby (All Blacks Anthony Boric, Frano Botica, Greg and Matt Cooper for starters), golf (Frank Nobilo), motorsport (Paul Radisich) — the list goes on. And yes, football of course. Current captain of the Football Ferns Abby Erceg and All White and Auckland City FC’s Ivan Vicelich, MNZM, to name but two. Vicelich is a big supporter of New Zealand Croatia Cricket but with the number of young talents of Croatian heritage that the club has already identified and fostered, he’ll be struggling to strap on the pads in a cross-code adventure. “We’ve got a number of good young players coming up through the Auckland Cricket system — the likes of the Lister brothers from Waitakere, and a few former and current Auckland A players — the ilk of Michael Ravlic who have kept the side fresh and energetic on the park,” explains Yovich. “And then there’s a few of us older heads who are all about passing on the values and standards that we have learned through our own careers. That’s a big part of what we are all about.” Apart from Auckland’s next generation of Aces and BLACKCAPS, the Busck and Kookaburra-sponsored New Zealand Croatia team also takes on former BLACKCAPS and first-class representatives in an annual fixture with the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association, and Northern Districts’ up-and-comers in the representative Northern Maori team. They’ve played international sides, too, and have a goal of getting themselves over to Croatia in the next few years to show the Continental cousins what the sport New Zealand-styles is all about. It’s all a step up from the normal golden oldies diet of most small “wanderer’s clubs”, of no fixed abode. The third annual One-Day match between the Kookaburra New Zealand Croatia XI and Auckland Cricket DFA starts at 10am tomorrow at Auckland’s Cornwall Park. Admission is free. Kookaburra New Zealand Croatia: Joseph Yovich (c), Ryan Brown, Josh Fisher, Paul Hitchcock, Bradley Kneebone (wk), Matthew Lobb, Mitch Bremner, Dan Marsic, James Piskulic, James Thompson, Matthew Vujcich, John Vujnovich. Auckland Cricket DFA: Benjamin Beecroft (c), Daniel Young, Aditya Edekar, Jack Coman, Finn Allen, Michael Ross, Adam Baard (WK), Adam Jones, Simon Keene, Ariyan Hassan, Matthew Gibson, Daman Bhatti, Keegan Russell. Minutes of New Zealand Croatia Cricket Incorporated Annual General Meeting held at the New Zealand Cricket Players Association offices, Mt Eden, Auckland on Friday 16 September 2016 Present: John Arnerich (Treasurer), Anthony Govorko (Secretary), Joseph Yovich (Committee Member), Daniel Marsic (Committee Member), Margot Butcher (Committee Member), John Vujnovich (Committee Member), Frank Vujnovich (Patron), Craig Borich, Leanne Piskulic and James Piskulic. 1.0 Welcome Treasurer John Arnerich welcomed everyone to the meeting and confirmed there was a quorum present and the meeting met all constitutional requirements to proceed. Joseph Yovich nominated John Arnerich to Chair the AGM which was seconded by Daniel Marsic and motion carried. Meeting called to order at 6.42pm by Chair John Arnerich. John thanked our Patron Frank Vujnovich for coming along and supporting us. 2.0 Apologies Apologies were received from Paul Vujnovich, Russell Bennetto, Brad Bennetto, Jason Brajkovic and Grant Jackson. Moved that the Apologies be accepted. Moved by Margot Butcher Seconded by John Vujnovich Vote: 10 in favour Resolved: Motion carried 3.0 Confirmation of Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting No items arising from the minutes of the previous AGM. Moved that the minutes from last year’s AGM be accepted as tabled. Moved by Joseph Yovich Seconded by Daniel Marsic Vote: 10 in favour Resolved: Motion carried John Arnerich advised that we needed to Waive Clause 9 in our constitution for the AGM date to be held no later than 31st August each year so we could proceed with holding it on Friday 16th September. Moved by Frank Vujnovich Seconded by Margot Butcher Vote: 10 in favour Resolved: Motion carried 4.0 Reports 4.1 Committee Report Secretary Anthony Govorko reported to the members on a governance front that we had a shortage of Office Bearers currently for the committee leading into the AGM which this evening will address this matter with the Election of Officer Bearers and Proposed Rule charges to help streamline our ability to function. None of this has proven fatal in how the incorporated society has been run. On a cricket perspective the 2015/2016 season was very successful with wins over the Cobham Club (Northland), and Northern Maori (2) a Rained Off result against the Auckland DFA and a loss to NZCPA. Already for the upcoming season we have the Auckland DFA game confirmed for the 1st of December at an Auckland venue to be confirmed and the Northern Maori confirmed for Sunday 12th March in Whangarei with the in coming committee to confirm other fixtures including our regular match against the NZCPA. We will be working on a 2017 preseason tour to Samoa with initial enquiries made to Samoa Cricket Association. As Moved that the report be accepted as tabled Moved by Leanne Piskulic Seconded by Craig Borich Vote: 10 in favour Resolved: Motion carried 4.2 Treasurer's Report Treasurer John Arnerich read and tabled the Statement of Income & Expenditure and Balance Sheet to 31 March 2016. John commented that the accounts were looking good. Refer to attached document. Incoming committee to consider this year’s donation/membership fees process for 2016/2017. The Society has been successful in securing grant funding of $1500 from 4winz trust for the purchase of cricket match balls. Moved that the report be accepted as tabled Moved by Anthony Govorko Seconded by Daniel Marsic Vote: 10 in favour Resolved: Motion carried 5.0 Election of Officers John Arnerich informed the members that we have vacancies for the position of President and Secretary; Nominations had been received for both positions as listed below: President: Anthony Govorko – Nominated by Joseph Yovich – Seconded by John Arnerich Secretary: Leanne Piskulic – Nominated by Anthony Govorko – Seconded by John Arnerich No other nominations were received. John Arnerich then declared that Anthony Govorko and Leanne Piskulic were the new President and Secretary respectively and congratulated them on their new positions. All the other Officers were declared elected on block: Patron: Frank Vujnovich Treasurer: John Arnerich Executive Committee: John Vujnovich, Margot Butcher, Joseph Yovich, Daniel Marsic 6.0 Proposed Rule Changes John Arnerich informed the members that as an incorporated Society we have learnt a lot over the past 12-24 months from our initial set-up and constitution. Prior to the AGM, John met with Peter Webb, a senior Solicitor at the companies office to discuss our organisation and our current constitution to better reflect the size of our club and to provide for a more streamlined operating process. John then read through the proposed Rule Changes which were as follows:
Proposal: That the number be reduced to Four (4) Committee Members. Reason: The size of our club is such that together with the Patron, President, Secretary and Treasurer, that Four (4) added Committee Members will fairly represent the composition of our Club Membership.
Proposal: That the AGM is not restricted by date and the following wording be inserted: “The Club shall hold an Annual General Meeting in each year at a date, time and place to be determined by the Management Committee. All other general meetings shall be called Special General Meetings.” Reason: To allow for flexibility of calling an AGM at a time that works best for NZCC.
Proposal: That the words of 9.1 “…audited balance sheet and statement of income and expenditure for the past year” be replaced with: “… a financial report and statement of accounts (including an Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet) at each Annual General Meeting”; Reason: It is now common place for the financial statements of smaller clubs like NZCC to not have the added expense of an Auditor. In general, auditors were required when there was “cash handling” involved e.g. running of a bar, raffles etc. NZCC do not have such activities with all expenditure requiring two signatures and payment by cheque or transfer through a bank.
“The Club shall elect or appoint an accountant to review the annual financial statements of the Club (“The Reviewer”). The Reviewer must be a suitably qualified person, preferably a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants and must not be a member of the Committee or an employee of the Club. The Reviewer may make a report to the Club” at each Annual General Meeting”; Reason: The Club still needs to have an independent review of its financial statements even though the requirement for an auditor is being voted on to be removed.
Reason: There seems to be no need for such a position. Historically, an honorary solicitor(s) has come from the membership or a club. We do not have any such a member and it saves from the need to “chase one” for the annual election.
Reason: The current requirement for ten (10) members to be present in person is greater than required for a club of our size, while the need to be present in person can be a challenge for our members who are across New Zealand. It is felt that a smaller quorum does not detract from representing the view of The Club, while being present in a “digital” manner allows for flexibility of attendance.
A meeting of members may be held by a quorum of the members as follows: (a) being assembled together at the time and place appointed for the meeting; or (b) participating in the meeting by means of audio, audio and visual, or electronic communication; or (c) by a combination of both of the methods described in paragraphs (a) and (b). Reason: NZCC is made up of members across New Zealand. It is not always possible for members to attend meetings in person so providing for “digital” means allows for convenience, greater attendance and flexibility of setting meeting dates. It also means the likelihood of required quorum numbers being met is improved. John opened the floor up for comments on these. The rules changes need to be voted on in block and approved so they can be incorporated into our existing constitution rules. Upon approval the rules will need to be typed and submitted to the Companies Office. John Vujnovich commented on how we proceed with the existing Honorary Solicitor we have in Frank Chan and when we need to inform him of this rule change. The other comment made was should we consider keeping him in place. John then proposed that all the above rule changes except number 5 be passed. Moved by John Arnerich Seconded by Joseph Yovich Vote: 10 in favour Resolved: Motion carried Point number 5 will be held over and left for the incoming committee to consider the appropriate process for either retaining or not the position of honorary solicitor. At this point, John Arnerich make the point of offering thanks to the firm of Frank Chan solicitors for their assistance to date. 7.0 Closure John Arnerich announced that the formal business of the AGM had concluded and asked the floor if there were any other items to discuss. No other items were raised. After thanking all present for their attendance the Chair declared the meeting closed at 7:11pm. John Arnerich Anthony Govorko Chair/Treasurer Secretary New Zealand Croatia has named two exciting debutants in its T20 squad to play the former NZ and first-class representatives of the NZCPA Masters, at Cornwall Park 2pm Sunday 13 March 2016. NZ Croatia John Vujnovich (captain) Dušan Hakaraia Craig Borich Paul Vujnovich Anthony Govorko (wk) Jason Brajkovic Ben Lister Victor Lister Kirit Makwana *debut Temapare Hodson Mitchell Murray *debut Introducing our new Cros: Mitchell Murray (left) was part of the King's College Gillette Cup side in 2014 that came runners-up. He was 2014 Gillette Cup player of the year, having led the tournament run-scorers' list with 310 runs and he created Gillette Cup history with a highest ever score of 171. He added another century – 134 against St Paul’s Collegiate. Past winners had included Brendon McCullum (2000), Tim Southee (2006), and Kane Williamson (2007) so Mitch is in fantastic company. He currently plays for the Suburbs New Lynn Premier side where there is a strong NZ Croatian connection, and he captained the Auckland Under 19s in 2015/16 where they finished runners-up at the national tournament. Welcome, Mitchell! Kirit Makwana has played the majority of his cricket in England for the club side Hornsey in the Middlesex County Cricket League. He is a former Under-19 Middlesex Representative who moved to New Zealand in 2013 with his wife and two children. Kirit's wife, Angela Makwana née Vujnovich, is first cousin to NZ Croatia foundation members John and Paul Vujnovich. Welcome, Kirit! We will be playing the NZCPA Masters:
1. Dean Askew 2. Darrin Crook 3. Jaden Hatwell 4. Ronnie Hira 5. James Marshall 6. Steve Pearson 7. Craig Pryor 8. Martyn Sigley 9. Sanj Silva 10. Glen Sulzberger 11. Reece Young The annual T20 doubleheader between NZ Croatia and Northern Maori took place at the weekend. Although the rain was threatening, Rotorua’s Smallbone Park looked a picture and these two proud cricketing cultures were keen to get underway. The Croats proudly welcomed four debutants to the club. James Thompson, Olly Tilley, Tom Yarrall and Ryan Majstrovic were presented with their caps, and all played a pivotal role throughout the day. After a short delay, the outfield dried out and the covers came off. NZ Croatia captain Joey Yovich won the toss and asked Northern Maori to have a bat on what looked a decent wicket first up. Tom Yarrall and James Thompson opened up with the ball and bowled good tight lines. Boundaries were hard to come by and the Bros never really got out of third gear. Josh Bates batted positively and ended up on 37 not out to guide the home team to 124/4. Coming off at the break the Cros felt they had the momentum going into the second innings and, under instruction from their skipper, were advised to play positively and make use of the early fielding restrictions. Joey Yovich and Matt Vujcich opened the innings and got the run chase off to a quick start. Matt was left stranded on 7 after sharp work from Michael Bing had him stumped off a wide. This brought Dusan Hakaraia to the crease who made a quickfire 35, striking at over 200. James Thompson played a cameo before Dan Marsic strode out to hit the winning runs. Joey Yovich had ended up 48 not out. Timoti Weir was the pick of the bowlers with one for 26 off his four overs. After the lunch break, the home side won the toss in the second T20 and elected to bat first in what would be a similar outcome to the first game. Leighton Parsons contributed at the top of the order with 26 before James aka Jimmy Skillet Piskulic took the first of his two wickets. Again Josh Bates anchored the innings with 41 off 34 deliveries. After their allotted overs Northern Maori had posted 125/7. After a slight shuffle in the batting order, NZ Croatia lost an early wicket as Matt Vujcich feathered one to the keeper off Weir, who continued his form from earlier in the day. Unfortunately for the Northern boys that saw Thompson join Dusan Hakaraia at the crease who was showing his ability to hit the ball to all corners of the ground. “Dush” who is of course also a proud Croat made 70 off 35, whilst Thompson made a run-a-ball 37. This saw the Croats take it with five overs to spare. Overall the cricket was played in great spirit and the coming together of each other’s culture was enjoyed by all. A huge thank you again to the ND boys and we look forward to our next encounter. |
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