Kevin Pillay and Paul Ryan awarded Life Membership of St George District Cricket Club
Both gentlemen have achieved some amazing milestones both on and off the field. Most notably both have captained 1st Grade Premierships.
At the St George District Cricket Club 2022 Annual General Meeting, Kevin Pillay and Paul Ryan were voted in as Life Members 62 and 63 in the clubs 111 year history.
Both gentlemen have achieved some amazing milestones both on and off the field. Most notably both have captained 1st Grade Premierships.
Kevin Pillay's nomination was presented by Life Member No.39 and current Club Coach Peter Jackson whilst Life Member No.28 and former Australian Cricketer Murray Bennett presented the nomination of Paul Ryan.
Details and achievements for Kevin Pillay are as follows -
On The Field
A Wicketkeeper who brought great energy in the field & a hard hitting left handed bat.
1st Grade player number 382.
226 total games - 148 in 1st, 46 in 2nd, 15 in 3rd, 11 in 4th and 6 in PGs.
He was involved in 6 Premierships:
- 3rd grade - 1999/2000
- 2nd grade - 2002/03
- 1st grade - 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2012/13 (1st grade captain in 2012/13).
495 dismissals for the club with 440 catches & 55 stumping’s which is the 3rd most dismissals across all grades behind Ernie Laidler and Ray Tozer.
3rd most 1st grade dismissals for the club - 332 made up of 296 catches and 36 stumping’s, behind Ernie Laidler (557) and Ray Tozer (461).
Holds the club record for most dismissals in a season in 1st grade - 57 in 2008/09 from 52 catches and 5 stumpings. This is also the club record for any grade.
4th most dismissals in a first grade season with 46 in 2007/08.
6th most 2nd grade dismissals for the club - 92 from 79 catches and 13 stumpings.
2nd most dismissals in a 2nd grade season for the club - 41 in 2002/03.
Club record for most dismissals in a season in 3rd grade - 40 in 1999/2000.
6 dismissals (5 catches, 1 stumping) against North Sydney in 2005/06.
5 catches in a 1st grade innings on 3 other occasions
Richard Stokes OAM Wicket Keeping Award in 1999/00, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2011/12 (7 occasions)
Scored just under 3,794 runs for the club
2 centuries and 6 x 50's in first grade.
126 v Sydney in 2004/05
122 v Blacktown in 2005/06
9th wicket partnership record for the club - 196 with Peter Wooden. Kevin made 126 and Peter made 119* against Sydney in 2004/05.
Other 1st grade 100 run partnerships:
131 run 3rd wicket partnership with Steve Cazzulino against Blacktown in 2005/06.
123 run 6th wicket partnership with Kurtis Patterson against Gordon in 2011/12.
118 run 8th wicket partnership with Liam Zammit against North Sydney in 2010/11.
104 run 7th wicket partnership with David Thompson against Campbelltown in 2001/02
2012/13 final 25 off 101 balls probably his most important innings
David Paull Memorial Award in 2012/13.
Off the Field
Kevin is now a very important member of our coaching staff working with our young keepers and putting our players through their paces in the field, he wants to see the players do well and is always prepared to the go extra mile to help either by having a conversation or doing extras with player.
The club extends its heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to Kevin for his years of service and dedication to St George DCC.
Details and achievements for Paul Ryan are as follows -
On the Field
Paul joined Saints from Wests in 1994-95 and spent 11 years in 1st grade with St George
He was part of 3 first grade premiership teams and was captain for 2 of the premierships winning teams. Paul was also captained a losing team grand final team
During Paul's time in 1st Grade the team enjoyed great success.
6 x Semi-Finalists
7 times St George was in the top 6 in the Club Championship
Paul is the 16th highest run scorer in 1st grade for St George with 4404 runs @ 27 including 4 centuries. Overall in 1st grade including stints at Wests and Mosman Paul scored 8,202 runs including 10 centuries.
Paul is credited with 154 wicket keeping dismissals. Interesting to note, in his later years in 1st grade Paul stepped down from the keeping duties to allow Nathan Pilon to come into 1st grade.
Paul himself was a superb keeper and definitely good enough to represent his State. Sadly as is often the case for wicketkeepers, opportunity and timing can be a cruel factor.
Of Paul's captaincy, I have said this many times. I have never known a Captain to communicate constantly with his team as Paul did. He was forever messaging or ringing his team both as a group and individually to keep them up to date with what was happening and also helping those players who needed some additional care and encouragement.
On the field Ryan's captaincy was decisive and strong.
Paul has been a great mentor to many players who came through the Club during his time. I have already referred to Nathan Pilon's development while with St George, but I'm sure Graeme Rummans would be one of the first to put his hand up to acknowledge the positive influence Paul had on his cricket development.
FM Cush OBE Clubman of the Year Award - 1995/96
David Paull Memorial Award Senior Player Contribution - 1999-00
Richard Stokes OAM WK Excellence - 1995-96
Paul also holds the record with Scott Thompson for the highest 5th wicket partnership in 1st Grade with 212 against North Sydney in 2002-03. He was also involved in another partnership of over 200 runs. It was 202 unbroken for the 4th wicket with Brad McNamara against Campbelltown in 1998-99.
He also held the record with 55 for the most dismissals in a season until it was broken in 2008-09 by Kevin Pillay.
Off the Field
10 years on our Management Committee, and an active contributor.
1 year as Vice-President. I was President at the time and had identified Paul as a potential successor. I think that might have scared him off.
Responsible for the initial introduction of our first major sponsor. Paul was a partner of the Wizard Home Mortgage business at the time and convinced his partners that sponsoring the St George Cricket Club was a good idea.
Wizard would remain as our major sponsor for 7 years, investing a significant amount of money into the Club.
This was an important development because Jon Jobson had become the full time CEO of the Club and attracting sponsors became crucial to us being able to support a full time employee, which we did for 17 years.
Paul also started the St George DCC Facebook page, which today is a crucial part of the communication amongst our playing group and many supporters.
The club extends its heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to Paul for his years of service and dedication to St George DCC.