Wholohan Claims 2024 Borwick Award

Jake Wholohan has won a trifecta of awards at the Annual Dinner & Awards Night on Saturday at Bankstown Sports Club, including the Association’s highest honour.

Umpiring his first season, Wholohan became the first umpire to win the George Borwick Memorial Award in their rookie year since Anthony Hobson in 2014.

In taking out the George Borwick Memorial Award, he also received the Alan Marshall Medal and the Panel Two Medal – the same trifecta Hobson won a decade ago.

Recognising dedication to the Association off-field and excellence on-field – Wholohan achieved an average captain’s mark of 4.79 out of 5 across the season to win the award.

Life members Alan Marshall and Arthur Watson were inducted into the Association’s Hall of Fame on the night, with retiring ICC International Panel umpire Paul Wilson also recognised for his international career.

The E. F. Wykes OAM Association Medal was awarded to Murray Border Cricket Umpires’ Association’s Neil Smith recognising his contribution to the MBCUA on and off the field during 2023-24.

Newcastle umpire Phil Rainger won the Kevin Pye Medal for Country Umpire of the Year, winning the medal after a season that saw him umpire at the Australian Country Cricket Championships and the Final of the Men’s Plan B Country Bash.

Nominated by his club for his dedication and commitment over the season, St George DCC’s Jeff Evans was awarded the Malcolm Gorham Scorers’ Award for the first time.

Darren Goodger received the Panel One Medal for a 14th time – and ninth consecutive season – with a match average of 4.98 out of 5 from Men’s First Grade captains, whilst the Women’s Panel One Medal was taken out by Jim Harrod, officiating in 12 matches as a member of the panel and achieving a match average of 4.58.

Daksh Trivedi won the Panel Three Medal, officiating 14 matches in the season, including a Second Grade debut, for an average mark of 4.53, with first-season Premier Cricket umpire Andrew Searle receiving the Panel Four Medal, with his 12 matches also resulting in an average of 4.53.

Match officials making representative debuts and officiating underage and senior national finals during the season were also recognised, whilst 25 members were also recognised for reaching milestone years of involvement with NSWCUSA or achieving match milestones officiating across New South Wales.

Award winners (L-R) Neil Smith, Jim Harrod, Darren Goodger, Jake Wholohan, Jeff Evans, Daksh Trivedi, Phil Rainger and Andrew Searle // Steven K Smith

Header Photo: Association Co-Patron Dick French presents the George Borwick Memorial Award to Jake Wholohan // Steven K Smith