Not many have contributed more to cricket in their region than Troy Scanlon, who will lace up his spikes for a 26th and final Hawke Cup season with Buller.
Scanlon will look to add to his 121 games, 245 wickets, and 4,775 runs, earning him the title of Buller’s most prolific run-scorer and wicket-taker.
Not to mention a few hundred catches while “resting” at first slip.
Alongside his accomplishments for the Hawke Cup side, Scanlon has made significant contributions to Buller Cricket off the field.
Vice-president, committee member, selector, bus driver, team manager, tournament volunteer, and publicity officer.
These are just some of the roles that Troy Scanlon has held at Buller Cricket over the past 30 years.
Inspiration from long term Buller Cricket servant and father, Kevin Scanlon, and an urge to give back have been two key catalysts in Troy’s association with Buller Cricket.
“Dad (Kevin) was on the committee at the time (he has been chairman or treasurer since the mid-1990s) so I wanted to try and help where I could,” said Scanlon.
“Plus, Buller Cricket had been very good to me from a very young age - I had plenty of support and coaching all the way through - so I wanted to try and give back to the association.”
A proud product of Buller High School, one of Troy’s proudest achievements is with his former school where he, along with a few other parents have worked tirelessly to keep cricket alive in the school.
Moreover, Troy has played for and helped to organise a club cricket team every year since he left school.
However, of all his contributions to Buller Cricket, none were more legendary than when he bowled unchanged in both innings against Canterbury Country in 2016, taking 9 wickets for the match to lead Buller to it’s famous Hawke Cup victory.
For one of New Zealand’s smallest District Associations, the feat was one to remember.
“To be able to compete with a team in the Hawke Cup, let alone win it, was an amazing moment for a small association like ours,” said Scanlon.
“Hosting a defence here and be a part of the committee that pulled all that together at very short notice was very special.”
As Hawke Cup teammate, Nathan Thompson described, Scanlon’s contributions to Buller Cricket extend much further than the boundary rope.
“Buller Cricket is a community focussed organisation, and as I’ve lived here, I have learnt to value the contribution it makes to community and especially to the mental wellbeing of young males here,” said Thompson.
“We have a club competition played on Thursday nights with great banter, we share fizzies, beers and a chat afterwards and feel fortunate to be able to do so.”
On top of the cricket, Troy’s character is what makes him special, explained Thompson.
“Troy is a genuine rare breed,”
“Often when you are the ‘big dog’ in the team, there is the temptation to lose sight of what’s important about grassroots sport,”
“Troy has always had the utmost respect and admiration from his own team, a true team first man, leads by example and displays the qualities that also earn the respect of any opposition player,”
“He’s just an epic human being, a considerate and caring guy, and one Buller cricket and the region are super lucky to have.”
'Scans' has earnt the respect of teammates and opposition alike.
For Scanlon, the decision to volunteer his time is a “no brainer”.
“To be a part of a small, dedicated committee that works hard to keep cricket alive in Buller is very rewarding and satisfying... it’s a no brainer to get involved,” said Scanlon.
“If you have something you can give back to sport in your local area, do it,”
“Every sport requires volunteers, and sports don’t survive without people giving up their own time to help out.”
