Newly elected Western Zone chairman Mark Freckington says the key to a successful tenure of one of Cricket NSW’s most dominant country provinces is ensuring more of the same.
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Frecklington takes over Western’s top job after the Dubbo-based Dennis Cox stepped down from the role at the zone’s AGM in July.
Frecklington, the long-time Orange District Cricket Association and Mitchell Cricket Council president says ensuring Western remains on top NSW country cricket is about building on the tremendous work Cox’s administration put in place over many summers in charge of the biggest zone in the state.
“I think really at this stage it’s about continuing on the good work of the previous guys. The zone’s in really good shape,” he said, Western winning three of the last four Country Championships.
While Orana took out the Plan B Regional Bash competition in 2016-17, too, giving Western a clean sweep of senior country competitions.
“We’ll maintain as much of the status quo as we can and continue to steer the ship in the right direction,” he added.
The chairman will be joined by Bathurst District Cricket Association president Campbell Graham on the new board. Graham is the deputy chairman.
Col Woods will remain on as administrator of the zone.
After years of zone chairmen hailing from the north west of the region, the appointment of Frecklington and Graham is a distinct swing east for Western’s administration.
“I never really thought of that. It is, the previous chairmen has probably always been from the north. Dennis and before that Brian Gainsford, being from Narromine,” Frecklington added.
Frecklington said keeping the zone’s senior side on top was an obvious priority for the new group, but so too was helping foster the young cricketers in the Brabham and Kookaburra Cup outfits.
“They haven’t had the same success the opens have. That’s something we’d love to try and improve,” he added.