Simon Smith commenced working with the junior cricket when his eldest son started playing Kanga Cricket in 2002-03. 

“I virtually went straight onto the committee. I went through the Kanga into helping run under 10s, and I think in the second or third season I took over as secretary,” Smith said.

He said he would remain involved and available to help people.

“My children have moved on out of junior cricket now, so after eight to 10 years at that level, it’s time to give someone else an opportunity,” Smith said.

He regarded his work on the committee as an opportunity and said it had been a good one because it had ensured his boys experienced as much as they could in cricket

“I’ve seen a lot of young men and a lot of young women grow up to be fine people from playing team sport in their local community. I’m glad I did it. I wouldn’t have changed anything,” he said.

Smith said during his time on the committee the standout was Tom Scoble. 

“He’s made the NSW side in the outdoor cricket and was recently picked again in the Australian cricket side for his age,” he said.

“Of course the Lennon girls (Sarah, Kate, Claire and Anna) have all done very well for Inverell and maintained the history of developing fine young female cricketers.” 

Smith was also president of Northern Tablelands Cricket for three years prior to it becoming part of the Northern Inland Cricket Council. 

“Since that’s happened, Inverell has done extremely well competing against Tamworth, Narrabri, Gunnedah and Armidale in a broader competition, and our association has been one of the strongest in the junior cricket,” he said.

“We won the under 14s two years in a row, and the under 16s played four finals in a row that they won, so we’ve experienced a lot of success at the representative level, and that’s been a great pleasure for me to be involved with.”

Cricket NSW development manager Kathy Barber said she thanked the two men for their many years of service.

“These guys have taken many young players from the grass roots and given them amazing opportunities in the game,” Barber said.

“Running Milo in2CRICKET to weekly representative player training sessions, umpiring, scoring and cooking the barbecue; both John and Simon have done it all. 

“Well done gents, I understand they will still help out on the weekends but stepping away from the administration and governance side of running cricket in Inverell, so any interested people should have a chat to Simon or John this week to see if you maybe can help keep the cricket dream alive in the community.”