Errol Cranney Becomes Life Member #55

Long-serving member Errol Cranney became the Association’s 55th Life member last week at a Special General Meeting, recognising 30 years of exceptional and outstanding service to NSWCUSA.

Errol first joined the Association in 1991, umpiring locally in the Manly-Warringah District Cricket Association competition for five seasons before first umpiring in Sydney Grade Cricket.

He officiated in the grade competition for ten seasons, overseeing 168 matches in that time, with 110 coming in First Grade.

He was appointed to two WNCL matches and a number of minor representative fixtures in his umpiring career, which he drew to a close in 2006.

The very next season, he joined the Association’s panel of off-field observers, providing in-depth and high-quality feedback to umpires around the grounds of NSW Men’s Premier Cricket – this coming season will be his 17th as an observer.

Errol is a dedicated member of the Premier Cricket observing group, rarely missing a Saturday during the season – over the past three seasons alone he has completed in excess of 100 observations which sees him compile reports for the benefit of umpires as well as providing verbal feedback during intervals, interruptions and after play.

Using his observations, knowledge of the game, and of the umpiring craft, he has also served the Association as a Selector, of both the Finals Series Selection Committee and the Panel Selection Committee.

Through his participation in these processes, he plays a crucial role in our endeavour to maintain a merit-based umpiring pathway where umpires deserving of opportunities are recognised and provided with them.

At the 2013 Annual General Meeting, Errol was upgraded to Principal membership in recognition of his contributions to the Association both on and off the field.

In receiving Life membership, Errol joins his esteemed grandfather Vincent Cranney, with the Cranneys becoming the first family to have two Life members of NSWCUSA.

Chair of the Board Mark Hughes spoke to the nomination, whilst fellow Manly-Warringah umpire Marty Edgell shared some memories of their time together in seconding Errol’s Life membership.

Photo: Life member Graham Chudleigh presents Errol with his Life Member jacket at Bankstown Oval.