After a decade leading the Ringwood Cricket Club, evergreen face Mark Freeman is stepping away from the RCC Presidency after accepting a role at Cricket Victoria, following 15 years at the Eastern Football Netball League.
Mark’s time as club President has seen a number of significant milestones, with the introduction of the now flourishing female program, a number of Premierships including the Women’s Premier Seconds and the Men’s Premier Firsts and more recently the construction of our new social rooms.
As part of his role at Cricket Victoria, Mark is unable to remain as President of Ringwood and he will be replaced by former 1st XI player and lower grades premiership player Stuart Baum.
Stuart arrived at Ringwood as a 15 year old and spent a decade or so at the club, rising through the ranks to represent the clubs First XI on 60 occasions.
Stuart has worked in the Public Healthcare sector for over 20 years with roles at Eastern Health and Melbourne Health in their radiology departments. In recent times he has begun an MBA at Deakin University.
Speaking about his new found role at the club, Baum was hopeful that he can continue to build on the great work that Mark and his predecessors have done.
“I really am honoured to accept the position of RCC president, especially when I think of two legends of the club in Graeme O’Donnell and Mark Freeman who have guided the club so well for such long periods of time prior to now,” said Baum.
“I’m so pleased for Freeze (Mark Freeman) that he has gained a role at CV even if it means a loss to RCC in him not being able to be president.
“Freeze has presided over RCC during a period of change that will probably never be repeated, that being the development of female cricket and the creation of ‘one club’, an amazing achievement and one that I hope I can further contribute to.
“I join all of RCC in saying a massive thanks to Freeze for his contribution that I know will continue on in some form.”
Baum went on to reflect on his journey from 15 year old newcomer to current day President and outlined some of his foremost goals as the new committee leader.
“When you are young kid playing, you certainly don’t think that you would ever hold such a position as President and when I accepted a position on the committee a year or so ago it was simply to contribute in any way that I could.
“What was clear to me though was that RCC in my time away had developed the sort of culture and values that I wanted to be a part of.
“We were honouring John Cassidy (another great RCC person) for his years of service last year and he made the comment that ‘if something has been good to you, then give back’. That is why I am here now and why I really look forward to working with the committee, volunteers, coaches, players and our valued sponsors to achieve both on field and off field success.
“I look forward to being able to be a part of the opening of the new pavilion and the next phase of RCC which will see our home have facilities that will be the envy of so many other clubs. There are so many people who have contributed to where we have got to and we must all celebrate this important milestone.
“The last 12-18 months has certainly been a challenge. I know that there are quite a few people that I am still to meet and spend time with due to restriction and I look forward to making new friends at RCC and re-acquainting with old ones.”
