Jason Holley - Cricket, Hockey and Mateship
Sutherland District Cricket Club | July 01, 2026
Jason Holley made his first grade debut for Sutherland in 1993 and for the next 20 or so years he continued to play the game in the right spirit and for the love of his team mates.
He represented NSW Under 17 and 19s, survived a car accident and came out the other side to win multiple premierships with Sutherland and was the very proud skipper of 3 first grade premierships with Burwood Briars, the club his father played for.
He was also a very talented Hockley player so let’s find out more about the man known to all as Jay
Welcome Jason
Firstly, what year were you born?
1976
Where did you go the high school?
Kirrawee High School
Do you remember your first ever game of cricket?
I think I was 9 playing for St Patricks Sutherland in the 10D’s, can’t remember how I went
Where did you play your junior cricket?
St Patrick’s CC until the U12’s then Gymea Bay CC
Which clubs have you played for?
St Pats, Gymea Bay, Sutherland DCC, Banstead CC (England) and Burwood Briars (Shires)
How old were you when you first played grade cricket?
15 in 5th grade for Sutherland DCC
What age did you make your first grade debut?
17 for Sutherland
What is your highest score in first grade?
I think I’m right in saying 129 not out against Wests at Pratten park
Who was the fastest bowler you ever faced?
Consistently Brett Lee when I faced some pretty scary net sessions back in the NSW Under 17’s and 19’s days. Some notable other spells from Steve Nikitaris, Stuart Karppinen, Brad Williams and more recently (around 9 years ago) Pat Cummins in a 2nd grade game at Caringbah!
Who was the best spinner you played against?
In the early days pre his shoulder injury I really rated Paul Sutherland but for longevity I would say Ken Hall. He wouldn’t often spin you out, he would just dry you up and you would eventually make a mistake. He bowled in great partnerships with whoever he bowled with.
What was the best innings you’ve seen in Grade Cricket?
I remember watching Jake (Justin Kenny) score a 100 pretty quickly at North Sydney Oval one day when I was 13 or 14, I just thought this bloke was so good to watch in full flight. Phil Jaques 321 not out at North Sydney was also a privilege to see live.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
I have a few that I can’t split. Being the 1st grade captain and to win 3 x 1st grade Sydney Shires competition with Burwood Briars was extra special. It’s an amazing club with great people and to do that with a club where my father played his cricket made it extra special.
Burwood Briars Premiers
Winning the 1st First Grade Premiership with Sutherland in 1995/96 was of course very special and winning the following year in 2nd grade with my best mate Alex Mann was special as well.
What was the best win you were involved in?
Hard one because it feels like I would be disrespecting all the other wins or competitions that I was lucky enough to be part of but I would say 1996/97 2nd Grand Final against Manly at Bankstown Oval. We had an awesome captain to play under in Kevin Tuite and I was playing with 5 or 6 guys that I’d grown up with including my brother, Darrell Mann and Alex Mann.
Sutherland 2nd Grade premiers 1996/97
You played in one of the most memorable and star studded First Grade Grand Finals Sutherland V Bansktown in 1995/96.
I remember the game being played over the Easter weekend (Saturday/Sunday/Monday). The day before on the Friday, Stu McGill invited the team over for a BBQ at his place and I just remember coming home after thinking we couldn’t be any more relaxed. A few of us were a bit concerned about some of the names lining up for Bankstown (mainly me!!) – we turn up on the Saturday and little did we know but Phil Weatherall or Glenn McGrath) had arranged for Kevin Chevvel (strength and conditioning coach) to be on hand to run our warm ups. Back then our warm ups were a lap of the ground plus some stretches. Kev had us doing all sorts of things which over time was a bit of master stroke thinking back.
I can’t even remember who won the toss but we bowled first. Glenn McGrath, Stuart Clark, Stuart MacGill and Tony Clark did an amazing job with some outstanding fielding by Matt O’Brien and others to restrict them to a low total. We batted well enough to gain a bit of a lead and we knew they would come out firing and Dean Waugh belted us around a bit but once again Matty O’Brien took a great catch it changed things and McGrath was on fire again. Big Tone (Tony Clark) did bowl the best ball he has ever bowled to clean ball Mark Waugh… I remember being in shock when that happened!!!
Editor’s note
Team lists
Bankstown – Shane Deitz, Dean Waugh, Steve Waugh, Mark Waugh, Steve Small, Scott Thompson, Danny Waugh, Ken Hall, David Freedman, Wayne Holdsworth, Nathan Bracken.
Sutherland – Matt O’Brien. Rod Davison, Tony Clark, Darren Mitchell, Lincoln Ball, Phil Weatherall, Jason Holley, Darrell Mann, Glenn McGrath, Stuart MacGill, Stuart Clark
Scorecard
You’ll note Jason Holley played a very significant role scoring 67 batting at number 7 to set up Sutherland’s first innings total and lead.
Sutherland District Cricket Club First Grade Premiers 1995-96
Back Row – Matt Bradley, Daniel McLachlan, Evan Atkins, Mark Carroll, Mark Chapman, Tim Brennan, Darren Holley, Linton Ball
Middle Row – Steve Rixon (Coach), Matthew O’Brien, Daniel Godkin, Jason Packer, Geoff Baron, Stuart Clark, Darrell Mann, Kevin Tuite, Barry Davison (Assistant Coach), Julie Coote (Scorer)
Front Row – Jason Holley, Phil Weatherall, Glenn McGrath, Rodney Davison (Captain), Darren Mitchell, Tony Clark, Stuart MacGill
Who was the funniest cricketing team mate?
Paul Sutherland and Jamie Hall
Who is your favourite all time cricketer?
I loved Dean Jones as a kid growing up
Do you recall a Friday night Pepsi challenge that went haywire when the rain cleared and you had to play the next day?
Several, PG’s were a regular but I don’t have a specific one in mind, others that I played with or against probably do!
If you’re in the middle seat of the middle row of Qantas QF1flight to London which team mates would you choose to on your left and right?
Alex Mann & Andrew Jalalty
What did you enjoy most about playing grade cricket?
I loved watching others succeed, winning, beers in the sheds, showers, the battle, discipline, and the friendships it’s given me to this day.
Did you have any cricketing superstitions?
Left pad first when batting
Which Grade Cricket ground did you enjoy playing at the most?
Caringbah (GMO), Manly Oval and Bankstown Oval
What’s the best advice you ever received?
“Fielding makes up 70% of your cricket career, so become the best fielder you can be, it could be the difference in selection later on”
Are you still involved in Cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I coach my young blokes U10’s team for St Pats
If you were running Cricket Australia what would your priorities be to ensure Australian cricket remained strong and a world leader not just in 5 years but 20 years and beyond?
Listen to the public and of past players as most are offering up great advice, in particular those in rural/country areas. Country people have a great understanding of a lot of things not just sport and I think we need to be engaging with them regularly. Participation is important but it shouldn’t be the priority. We still need to coach kids the art of resilience, meaning if you’re out, you’re out…..not giving kids “extra goes” just to keep the parents happy!
Are you a fan of technology in cricket?
Run outs and stumpings only
How do you value the pathway programs for young cricketers against the currency of runs and wickets in grade cricket?
I don’t know the pathway system that well anymore. It lost me when they started playing 2 and 3 sides for NSW in 17s and 19’s – what happened to picking the best 15 players in each state?
What advice would you offer a young 17 year old who has the ambition of playing test cricket?
Be prepared to fail and for it to be ok, get your education in order and have a backup plan if you don’t make it – be the best fielder in the team.
What are your hobbies?
I love my hockey, I enjoy my golf but probably only play 2/3 times a year!
Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?
Every day, the disciplines of sport not just cricket tie in well with my job. Communication is a big one and the ability to adapt with changing conditions/environments. Being able to handle conflict and always looking at ways to be innovative.
