The Hadspen Cricket Club, formerly known as the Sidmouth XI Cricket Club, began in 1987-88 when a group of enthusiastic individuals decided to form a new cricket club.
To distinguish ourselves from the previous Sidmouth Cricket Club, which had disbanded a few years earlier, we adopted the name "Sidmouth XI."
Led by the late Syd Holland, our first captain and president for a remarkable decade, the original XI players were a spirited mix of men and boys, aged 18 to 32, with the core originating from an indoor cricket team.
Our maiden season in 1987-88 saw immediate success, with the team making it to the grand final. The very next year, we achieved an undefeated season and triumphed in the B-grade grand final, earning a promotion to A-grade in 1989-90. As we progressed, a new second team was recruited to compete in B-grade.
Our symbol, the Chieftains logo, depicts a powerful "Death Head," a symbol of courage and defiance in the face of danger and death. Embracing the Latin motto "Veni, Vidi, Vici," inspired by Julius Caesar, we continued to conquer challenges on and off the field.
As time passed, the passion for our beloved club only grew stronger, and our ranks now boast members in their 50s and 60s, cherishing the memories of those who are no longer with us. Though our hair may have thinned and turned grey, and our waists expanded, our love for the game and the club remains undiminished.
For 16 years, we played at Sidmouth, making do with modest facilities and training at various venues, including Queechy High School, Norwood Primary School, Trevallyn, and Riverside. Refreshments were served from an eski after training and games, fostering camaraderie among players.
In 2003, under the presidency of Paul Smith, a significant transformation occurred as we made a momentous move to Hadspen, acquiring expansive and superior facilities such as training nets, clubrooms, changerooms, a kiosk, and a bar. This pivotal step allowed us to welcome and embrace women, children, families, and overseas players, evolving into an all-inclusive family club.
Since that move, three key coaching figures - Dean Hawkins, Scott Plummer, Liam Reynolds and Tristan Weeks - have been influential in setting the club on a semi-professional path that has been maintained and delivered great premiership success thanks to high on-field and off-field standards.
Initiating junior and women's programs, we successfully introduced young talents to the sport, with under-12s, under-14s, and under-16s boys' and girls' teams. Our junior cricket program has provided hundreds of local players' children with their first taste of the sport over the past two decades.
Sheryn Clairdge was our Female Boom founding coach in 2017-18, and the program has been a success ever since, thanks to key influences in Mel Denman, Kate Dobber, Hannah Whitney, and Justin Reeves.
Throughout our 38-year journey, more than 700 senior players - men and women - have proudly donned our colours, each one recognised and honoured with a unique number. New players are presented with a specially numbered cap on their debut, symbolising their place in our rich history.
Presently, the club boasts four senior men's teams, a strong women's team and three junior sides. The devoted committee has worked tirelessly to enhance our facilities, ensuring they stand among the best in the TCL.
Our collective success has been fuelled by unwavering support from coaches, captains, volunteers, families, and loyal supporters. Off the field, we've grown more professional, fostering a vibrant committee, appointing skilled coaches, and hosting successful functions, such as our annual Champions of Sport luncheon, which has been running for 12 years.
This off-field success has been mirrored on the field, with recent triumphs in several premierships. In acknowledgment of extraordinary dedication, the club has honoured 30 individuals with life memberships. Among them, five exceptional individuals have been elevated to Icon Status: Syd Holland, Paul Smith, Peter De Boer, John Bailey, and Grant Davern.
As we look back on our journey, we celebrate our rich history, cherish the memories, and look forward to a future filled with even greater achievements and lasting bonds. Hadspen Cricket Club continues to be a beacon of cricketing excellence and camaraderie, shaping the lives of players and community members alike.
Premierships
Premier League: 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22
A-grade: 1991-92, 1993-94, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2020-21
A-Reserve: 2009-10, 2012-13, 2018-19, 2019-20
B-grade: 1988-89, 2017-18
Charltons Cup: 1993-94, 1994-95
TCL T20: 2020-21, 2021-22
Club Song
Who's the team with the big red nose?
Ho, ha, ho, ho, ha,
The more we win the redder is goes.
Veni, Vidi, Vici
Oi, oi, oi
The club song was introduced by Chieftains Icon Syd Holland. It was a popular old song used by many sporting clubs over the years. We added our motto Veni, Vidi, Vici to it at the end to make it unique to us.
About our club
Our Home - Start Solar Park
Paul Degetto
Vice President
Paul was elected Vice President in 2022 and has played more than 250 matches for Hadspen since crossing over from Birralee in 2007.
Bestowed life membership in 2017, Cap No.259, Paulie is a premiership player, long-time committee member, former captain, and Chieftains Tool of the Year.
Brad Eames
Vice President
Known as Melman, he is the tallest premiership captain the HCC has ever had. A life member (2013), dual John Harding Memorial Award winner (2013 & 2018), and long-serving committee member, Cap No.219 has played more than 220 matches in the red and black, scoring 3,712 runs and taking 111 wickets. He is a tireless and dedicated worker off the field.
Matt Green
Committee member
A multiple premiership player and seasoned skipper, Greeny is the Chieftains' third-highest wicket-taker of all time (397). Cap No.223 – a great leg spinner – was awarded life membership in 2017 for his loyalty and dedication to the club on and off the field. Greeny and his family are committed to making the HCC a great place.
Steve Neville
President
Lombardy has been a Chieftain since the club’s second season in 1988–89. Cap No.18, he and his two brothers, Rod and Garry, have strong ties to the club’s establishment at Sidmouth and its development into what it is today. Steve is a 200-game player, a Life Member (2000), a Shaka Award winner (1997), a former secretary, and was elected president in 2025.
Curtis Hodgetts
Secretary
Cap No.457 joined the committee for the 2022-23 season after several years of playing for the Chieftains and quickly volunteered to help co-ordinate the club's social events. Curtis, a 2024 John Harding Memorial Award winner and premiership player, is a reliable, no-fuss volunteer who has been our Junior Development Officer since 2023 and became secretary in 2025.
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Joe Holland
Committee member
Joe is the son of the Chieftains’ founding father, Syd Holland, and is making his own positive impact on the club he calls home. A sturdy top-order batsman, Cap No.227 is a Hadspen junior product who made his senior debut in 2005–06. He is a Best & Fairest winner and joined the committee in 2022–23, where he also served as a junior program mentor.
Lani Gunn
Committee member
Since joining HCC as a Female Boom player for the 2020–21 season, Lani has been a leader on the field and has enjoyed playing alongside her two daughters, Ailya and Imogen. Cap No.603 joined the committee to help make a positive difference and to represent the club’s women’s playing group at the decision-making table. Lani is the club's Child Safety Officer.
Shane Tuner
Committee member
Shane took out the Adrian Tudor Memorial Award for Best First-Year Senior Player in 2022–23, recognised for his outstanding debut season with the ball and his dedication to training and Chieftain functions. Cap No.645, is the club's senior women's coach and joined the committee to contribute further.
Chris Reissig
Treasurer
Our Treasurer is a long-time committee member and former Vice President. He joined the club in 2008 and has been a dedicated supporter and sponsor ever since. The two-time Sharka Award recipient has been instrumental in improving the club's facilities, the establishment and success of Champions of Sport, and driving high off-field and on-field standards during a sustained period of success.
Dave Morrison
Committee member
A Hadspen resident and Chieftains Sponsor, Dave is a passionate community person successful businessman. Actively involved in community groups, Dave decided to join the committee in 2025 to help the club continue sustained success on and off the field. Dave and his wife Leanne are a major Chieftains sponsor through their business DLM Machinery.