Bruce Baxter Receives Cricket NSW Community Distinguished Service Award
Cricket NSW | April 19, 2025
Cricket NSW has established the Community Distinguished Service Award to recognise those individuals who have given so much to cricket in their local community over an extended period.
Bruce Baxter has been a cornerstone of South Services Cricket Club (SSCC) and Clarence River Cricket Association (CRCA) for over 50 years, serving his club in various capacities including Vice President (1974-76), President (1977-2025) and Coach (1977-2025). He became a SSCC Life member in 1980 and actively played cricket for the club from 1973 to 2007, before taking up umpiring.
As a member of CRCA, Bruce accepted roles since 1975 as Vice President, Secretary and President, becoming a Life member of the CRCA in 1988. He was the CRCA publicity officer (radio and newspaper) for than more 20 years and has been Chair of the CRCA Fixtures Committee for more than 40 seasons. He has also contributed to the North Coast Cricket Council (NCCC) as Vice President for six years and as CRCA delegate to NCCC for the last five years.
In umpiring, Bruce has been active from 2008 to 2024. He has served as Vice President (2008-2018) and President / Treasurer (2019-2025) of Clarence River District Cricket Umpires’ Association, and as Vice President (2010-2019) and President (2020-2025) of North Coast Cricket Umpires’ Association (NCCUA). He received Life membership of NCCUA in 2024.
At representative level, Bruce was appointed to the Country Umpire Representative Panel (CURP) in 2017 and served it for six seasons. On five occasions he was appointed to umpire the Regional T20 Bash final on the Sydney Cricket Ground, highlighting his consistency and excellence. He has also umpired Country Cup finals, U14 State Challenge finals in Dubbo and three first grade matches in Sydney Premier Cricket. Having retired from the CURP in 2023 he became an Independent Country Umpire Selector.
Bruce has received Principal membership of NSW Cricket Umpires’ and Scorers’ Association for his outstanding service, on and off field, to cricket umpiring in this State.
Bruce’s dedication to cricket extends to coaching. For 50 consecutive seasons he has coached junior cricket teams for SSCC. His contribution has been pivotal in promoting and organising cricket events, teaching new generations of young cricketers about the spirit and skills of the game, and fostering in them a passion for cricket.
Bruce Baxter’s unparalleled commitment to cricket in the Clarence Valley over the last 50 years makes him an outstanding advocate and stalwart of the sport, richly deserving of the Cricket NSW Community Distinguished Service Award.
Bruce received the award at the CRCA annual dinner and awards presentation at Grafton District Services Club on April 11. He received a standing ovation from members and guests present.
