Figallo and Oza Appointed to National Indigenous Championships

The 2019-20 National Indigenous Cricket Championships commenced in Alice Springs on Monday with NSWCUSA members James Figallo and Kedar Oza appointed to the tournament by Cricket Australia.

Both James and Kedar are attending their first National tournament, a significant achievement for the pair.

James Figallo joined the Association in 2003, before first umpiring in NSW Men’s Premier Cricket in the 2011-12 season, going on to make a First Grade debut in Round 9 of the 2012-13 season at Coogee Oval as Randwick Petersham hosted Gordon.

In the seasons since, James has moved between his local Central Coast Cricket Association competition and NSW Men’s Premier Cricket, now having umpired 57 Premier Cricket matches, with 21 in First Grade.

James spent the last two seasons as a member of the NSW Country Umpire Representative Panel before returning to Premier Cricket this season. Last season saw him involved in the Plan B Regional T20 Bash and the NSW Country Championship.

Kedar Oza is an experienced NSW Men’s Premier Cricket umpire, joining NSWCUSA is 2008 before making his first appearance in the 2008-09 season, umpiring his 163rd match last Saturday at Merrylands Oval.

Kedar made his First Grade debut in the 2017-18 Round 5 match between Western Suburbs v Northern District at Pratten Park, before being elevated to Panel 1 ahead of the 2018-19 season and has now umpired 19 matches in First Grade.

In 2018-19, Kedar was involved in fixtures in the T20 Academy Quin Series and the U19 Male State Challenge.

NSWCUSA Life Member and Cricket Australia Supplementary Match Referee Ian Thomas has been appointed Tournament Referee.

The NICC commenced on January 27 and will conclude with the Men’s and Women’s Finals on 3 February.

The full panel of umpires selected for the 2019-20 National Indigenous Cricket Championships are as follows-

Konrad Date (South Australia)
Russell Day (Tasmania)
Adrian Drosd (South Australia)
Paul Edwards (Australian Capital Territory)
James Figallo (New South Wales)
Reuben Garlett (Western Australia)
Michael Nolan (Victoria)
Darryl O’Sullivan (Queensland)
Kedar Oza (New South Wales)
John Tate (Northern Territory)