Selfless decision from leading umpire

By Tim Howard

One of the Clarence Valley leading umpires and administrators has decided to stand down from representative duties.

CricketNSW head of competitions and officiating, Darren Goodger, said Grafton umpire Bruce Baxter had decided he would not longer stand on the Country Umpire Representative Panel.

Goodger said the decision had been typically “selfless” and made to give up and coming umpires a chance to officiate at the highest levels of country cricket.

Goodger said Baxter, a principal member of the NSWCUSA, served on the Country Panel since season 2017-18. Prior to that he had been a member of the Supplementary Panel.

But he said Baxter’s service to cricket in the Clarence, North Coast and NSW Country Cricket began in 1973 from the time he arrived in Grafton to take up a teaching post at South Grafton High School.

He listed some of the role has undertaken in that time:

• Serving as either president or secretary of South Services Cricket Club
• Serving as an executive member of the Clarence River Cricket Association, including several terms as president
• Bruce has, for 40+ consecutive seasons, coached the South Services Cricket Club under-14 team
• Being delegate to the North Coast Cricket Council
• President of Clarence River District Cricket Umpires’ Association
• President of North Coast Cricket Umpires’ and Scorers’ Association
• Being appointed on five occasions to umpire the Regional T20 Bash Men’s Final at the SCG

In season 2021-22 duty called and at an age that many cut back their commitments, Baxter found himself president of four cricket organisations (SSCC, CRCA, CRDCUA, NCCUSA).

Leading umpire Bruce Baxter, left, filling at least two roles at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season. He umpired the match and as CRCA president awarded the trophy to winning captain Brad Chard from Tucabia Copmanhurst.

Good described his commitment and longevity as “exceptional”.

“In all his roles in cricket, Bruce has displayed outstanding values and integrity being a most humble person and selfless servant of our game as a player, administrator, coach and umpire,” he said.

“He has been involved for 50 consecutive cricket seasons, a respected life member of South Services Cricket Club and Clarence River Cricket Association.”

But Baxter has hung up his counter and will continue to be involved in cricket as an umpire, coach and administrator.

“We look forward to him continuing to umpire in underage Country Cricket NSW programs and CNSW State Challenge carnivals,” Goodger said.

“Players, coaches and staff enjoy Bruce’s company and his common sense approach to umpiring at the various carnivals.

“They also respect and appreciate the quality of his umpiring.”

Goodger, who also hails from Grafton, has known Baxter since he became involved as a player and official in the 1980s.

“I have learnt much from others about the spirit of cricket over the years and what it means to play hard, fair cricket within the spirit of the game,” he said.

“Bruce Baxter and Graham Rose, both heavily involved in north coast cricket, have been wonderful role models in this regard.

“It has been a pleasure to have Bruce Baxter involved as a member of the Country Umpire Representative Panel for six years.

“We extend our thanks to Bruce along with congratulations on a sterling contribution and very best wishes for his future involvement in cricket.”

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