Kieran & Joanne Colgan- Winners Dick Menting Community Champion Award 2023

Kieran and Joanne Colgan have played an integral role at the Burwood Uniting Canterbury Cricket Club for many years.

Kieran has been the facilities manager for more than ten years. At the Club most nights, he ensures the facilities are the best operated in the competition. Ground management, cleaning, match day preparation, repairs and maintenance are just some examples of Kieran’s dedication.

Since the mid-2000s, Kieran was heavily involved in guiding his two sons through their junior careers, both as a team manager and coach. Both sons still currently play senior cricket at the Club.

The Lynden Park Pavilion is being redeveloped in 2023, and Kieran has led the planning and implementation of the project with council. He has liaised with council stakeholders, our co-tenant football club and the club committee to ensure the facility can be enjoyed by the community for many years. He has been instrumental to estimate our funding request to the Community Bank for the clubrooms fit out.

Joanne has been the club’s junior coordinator for over 10 years, managing the day-to-day operations. She has been instrumental in growing our program during this time, in particular the past 3-4 years where participation has grown from 50 participants to over 150.

In Season 2023/24, the club launched girls cricket, thanks primarily to the efforts of Joanne. This first season is likely to kick off with 2 teams, which is an outstanding result for the community and our club. Jo has led the recruiting with parents, advertising in local schools and managed the registration process.

On top of managing our junior program, Joanne has been apparel manager for the whole club over the past 5 seasons managing orders, stock levels and payments. A crucial part of the club operations that runs seamlessly because of Joanne’s dedication.

Very deserving winners of the Dick Menting Community Champion Award.