Former North Sydney players reunite at Old Bears' and Sponsors' Day
UTS North Sydney District Cricket Club | March 26, 2026
On 28 February, UTS North Sydney held its annual Old Bears’ and Sponsors’ Day with former players and sponsors joining a reception in the Mollie Dive Stand at North Sydney Oval during Day 1 of the First Grade match against Sydney University.
The day was an opportunity for old Bears to come together and continue to connect with the club. It was great to have a mix of former Bears attend covering every decade from the 1970s to 2010s, including The Grade Cricketer’s Sam Perry, who probably collected some material while chatting with our players in the Union Hotel afterwards! Notable other attendees included Doug Cole, who was President between 1979 and 1990 and Secretary between 2005 and 2008, and David Rodgie, who succeeded Doug as Secretary and played in the 1970s and 1980s. Also present was proud dad, Chris Thomas, a former Bears player whose son, Aidan, made his First Grade debut on the day. All enjoyed the opportunity to relive their playing days while watching a quality tussle between the Bears and Students!
Peter Fitzgerald, David Rodgie, Mark Williams, Matt White, Dave Perry, Andrew White
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Sponsors present included Joydeep Hor, Founder and Managing Principal of, People + Culture Strategies, our major sponsor, as well as Sam Colless, Manager at UTS Sport and Rod Campbell from Access Grants.
The crowd was treated to a fine day’s cricket with the Bears in trouble early but ending proceedings on top. We lost four wickets in the first session to be 4/98 at the lunch break with Hamish Reynolds, in his first outing as opener, showing strong resistance with 35, and Sydney Uni’s Kieran Tate taking three poles. But this brought together Justin Avendano and Jordan Netto, who put on 96 and were still together at tea. Jordan made 52 including five 4s and two 6s before falling lbw to Sydney Uni’s spinner, Cameron Frendo, bringing Jamieson Hedges to the crease.
Justin and Jamieson batted almost to the close, adding a further 102. Justin reached his 18th hundred for the Bears and 20th at First Grade level for all clubs off 175 balls. It was a chanceless innings which went through the gears perfectly, and ended only a few minutes before the close with a catch on the boundary. His 118 off 186 balls gave the old boys plenty to cheer about as the Bears finished the day on 6/292 with Jamieson 51*.
Justin Avendano leaves the field to applause after his 118.
The Bears wrapped up victory the following week, though not without a scare, posting 386 and holding the Students to 340 as they went hard at the target. Jamieson Hedges was the star of the second day, making his highest First Grade score of 99 and taking 3/67 off 19 overs.
It was brilliant to see Old Bears’ and Sponsors’ Day so well supported, and we look forward to a bigger and even better event in 2027!
Craig Hodges, Matt White, Mick McKeand
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