Malcolm Benge has been a great support for Cricket Wellington and a stalwart of Junior Cricket Upper Hutt (JCUH) for nearly ten years.
A hugely influencing figure within the local community, Malcolm’s main role has focused on club administration where he has fulfilled many official and newly-adopted roles as Deputy Chair for the JCUH committee. Throughout his long involvement with the club, Malcolm has highlighted the club's growth as the main success during his involvement: the club has expanded from 20 junior teams in 2010 to 33 in 2017. This is a testament to the dedication and passion that Malcolm has for both the local Upper Hutt community and for cricket in general. This growth has occurred across all levels, but significantly within the Year 1 & 2 new entrant.
Further to this, the club has started, and successfully fields, two all-girls teams - one primary and one college aged - which provides a pathway for local girls. Under Malcolm’s watchful eye, the JCUH became the first club in Wellington to run the girl’s youth (college age) team from its junior committee, Malcolm sees the team as an important transitional step within the playing cycle and believes the junior committee should oversee and nurture these developing cricketers. This initiative, pioneered by JCUH under Malcolm's leadership, has now been adopted by many other clubs throughout the region and is proving widely successful for the growth of the female game.
In addition to his strategical thinking, Malcolm undertook many administrative roles for the club and local school, Hutt International Boys School. Malcolm excelled working with the CricHQ database, and has taken the lead on registrations and Club events. For him, no task has been too great of too small. His wide-reaching communication has ensured he is now a respected figure within both the local Upper Hutt community but also the wider Wellington region. Malcolm has driven strong relationships with the local council regarding the quality of local facilities and grounds, as well as with local entities regarding club sponsorship, grants and support. Together with the support of his fellow committee members, he has increased the profile of JCUH through both online and print mediums.
The JCUH club philosophy is “to provide children with equal opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills”, a philosophy for which the club continues to be hugely successful as each season passes. However, with each year there has been one constant for the parents, supporters, players and coaches of Junior Cricket Upper Hutt: Malcolm Benge. Malcolm came into junior cricket administration asking for nothing, but giving everything. His generous efforts will have long lasting effects across the Upper Hutt region for many years to come, and for many current and future cricketers to enjoy. A family man with a huge passion for his local community, a life-long love for the game of cricket, and a selfless determination to ensure that cricket is forever enjoyed far and wide through the Upper Hutt Valley and beyond.
