"If you build it, they will come." There's never been a truer statement whispered into a mans ear then this one! Relax guys! Before you start thinking that Hilly has finally lost the last thread, I assure you, that I did not have an agel talking these words of wisdom to me last March.

This last year has been a trip that I personally, and I'm sure all of you, will never regret taking and the funky thing it, its only the beginning!

This season has been a great success in so many different ways, with plenty of promise for achievements and successes for the club and its players next season and onward. I have had the pleasure and privilege of of witnessing and being a part of the growth of my teammates and our new club.

I value the role that each of you have played as a team member and co-founder of the Manly Breakers C.C. As I stated to you at the start of our pre-season, you each have an important part to play in the bteam , and not one person was in the Manly Breakers to make up the numbers.

Our critics may look at our season with little remark, but what do they know, they have not stood shoulder to shoulder with us, nor shared in triumphs or lessons. O could not have asked to have gone round with a better bunch. We as a team won more games than we have ver done, scored 296 runs in a first innings, had main attacking bowlers who all produced averages under 18, and fielding prowess that saw us take 90% of our catches, to give our opposition heart failure every time a chance was produced.

The Manly Breakers in 2000/01 were not just competitive, we were dangerous contenders who proved we hurt our opponents and at our best were unbeatable.

The Manly Breakers Cricket Club was not one persons vision, but a club built on the vision of many. The opening statement "If you build it, they will come" is a statement eacha nd every one of us has heard in our minds and hearts many times, for different reasons, and the result for us is the Manly Breakers Cricket Club. You can see we are building it and people are coming, you only have to look around you to see we are not one, a few, but many and we will grow and continue to build a club where people will come because this is where they want to be. It all starts in the foundations and the Manly Breakers foundations are strong. Keep up the good work lads.

I have enjoyed the challenges and responsibility of being your captain this season, and have regret that I will not be a part of the on field team next year. My move to the central coast brings me a new set of cricketing challenges that I have to embrace with a keen outlook. I want to thank a whole bunch of people: David Lang, Langy, thanks for the little things; Fish, you have a great deal of potiential not only as a player but as a leader as well, and thanks for your support; vice-captain Phil Sweet, you are a good friend and a bloody good cricketer.

You guys, the Breakers, you have leant me your support, even when judgement yelled DON'T!, given me, the team and the club your best and then some - thankyou.

Committee, you have served the club with the best of intentions, professional execution and great vision