Tatts honours Rod Kirk following his 30th year with the club

Narrabri sporting identity Rod Kirk recently celebrated a major cricketing milestone as he completed his 30th year as a part of Tatts Cricket Club.

Kirk, who has captained the club in both first and second grade and has been a part of premiership-winning sides, joined Tatts in 1992 after having played three years at Commercials in second grade.

He was offered the role of the Tatts Cricket Club first grade wicketkeeper, which he proudly accepted.

Fast forward 30 years and Kirk has become a Tatts legend, in the words of the club itself.

Tatts Cricket Club held its annual presentation day at the Dangar Park Tennis Centre on Sunday, March 20, the day after the Narrabri District Cricket Association’s grand final day.

Tatts acknowledged Kirk for his 30 years of service and the dedication he has shown to the club both on and off the field since 1992 by unveiling a perpetual shield in his name – the Rodney Kirk Shield for Tatts Cricket Club first grade best and fairest.

“I’m still dumbfounded, I was gobsmacked and I got pretty emotional when they announced it,” Kirk told The Courier.

“It’s the last thing I expected, for the simple fact that I’m just doing what the guys before me did.

“I’m just lucky enough that I have stayed in town and I have been able to do it for a long period of time.

“It was blokes like Russell Wood and Garry Burkinshaw and Tony Meppem who got Tatts into a stronger position when they were in a bit of trouble 30 or 35 years ago.

“One great thing about Tatts is we do try and bring juniors through and we have for many years.

“We are like a family.”

One of those juniors that has come through the club is Jonty Schwager, who is the inaugural recipient of the Rodney Kirk Shield for Tatts Cricket Club first grade best and fairest.

The now 20-year-old fast bowler debuted for the club in second grade as a 15-year-old and has become the club’s key bowler in first grade.

He won the NDCA’s 2021-22 season bowling aggregate and bowling average awards after taking 16 wickets at an average of 5.5 in five games during a shortened regular season, and he said that he was honoured to receive the first Rodney Kirk Shield for Tatts Cricket Club first grade best and fairest.

Kirk, who was honoured to have the shield named after him, thanked his family for their support over the years, especially his wife Jen, and also everyone who has been a part of Tatts Cricket Club both past and present.