The Ringwood Cricket Club Men’s program has finalised its on field leadership group for season 2021/22, with the announcement of a Second XI captain and vice captain.
The key roles will be filled by two of the clubs most well respected – and liked – figures.
Mark Akeroyd, who joined the club in 2016/17 from Weston-Creek Molonglo CC in the ACT, will lead the Second XI this season with familiar name Tyson Freeman his deputy.
In a message sent to all players and support staff, Director of Cricket Jason Evans spoke highly of both players pre-existing leadership qualities and the enthusiasm they will bring to the role(s).
“It gives me much pleasure to announce the appointment of Mark Akeroyd as Captain of the Second XI and Tyson Freeman as Vice Captain,” Evans wrote.
“Both players are already leaders within the playing group and bring great enthusiasm to their roles.
“We look forward to them helping to develop a great culture in what will be a significantly different team this season.”
Akeroyd has stepped into the role of Second XI captain sporadically during his time at the club and has represented the Ringwood First XI on 12 occasions, with his big spinning off-breaks bagging him a best of 2/24 at the level. Overall he has represented the club on 65 occasions, taking 66 wickets with a best of 5/65, and made 435 runs with a highest score of 60*.
Akeroyd played 74 games for Weston-Creek Molonglo in the ACT Premier competition prior to his move south, playing 74 games across all XI’s taking 90 wickets and scoring 570 runs at an average of 21.11, including back to back half-centuries in the First XI in 2014/15 on the eve of the finals.
Off the field Akeroyd is well regarded for his upbeat personality and leadership skills which have seen him rise through the ranks in his chosen industry.
His deputy, Tyson Freeman, is a name well known amongst Ringwood Cricket Club alumni, having been a part of the club since his birth.
Freeman, son of current club president and former First XI player Mark and brother of First XI premiership player Jackson, has played in all five possible senior XI’s in his time at the club, debuting in the First XI back in 2018/19 against Geelong – a long way from his Fifth XI debut back in 2008/09.
Freeman has played 184 games for the club, scoring almost 2000 runs (1913) with one century (111) and taking 214 wickets with a best of 5/22.
Like Akeroyd, Freeman is well respected for his work off the field and has been a major player in past leadership groups despite a lack of official title.
The Second XI leadership announcement means the club has now filled all of its (mens) leadership roles for the 2021/22 season, with club champion David King taking over as First XI captain for a second time, whilst Jordan Roberts (Third XI) and Sam Wade (Fourth XI) have been re-appointed for season 21/22 which Evans also announced to the playing group last night.
“I’d also like to formally announce the re-appointments of Jordan Roberts and Sam Wade to the Third and Fourth XI captaincy roles.
“These two have done a terrific job over the past few seasons and I would like to congratulate and wish both of them good luck this season as well.”
Joining them in the leadership group will be First XI Vice Captains Matthew Fotia, back from a year in Tasmania, Josh Hartill and Tom Rogers, along with the aforementioned Tyson Freeman.
