Syd Holland
Father to Joe.
Father figure, mentor, and confidant across generations to hundreds.
Founding member.
When you think of the Chieftains, you think of Syd Holland.
Syd materialised the Chieftain brand from a former use into an electric indoor cricket side, which provided the nucleus for the Sidmouth Cricket Club in 1987.
Passionate, proud, fierce, and loyal, Syd massaged the Chieftain brand into one of the most recognisable clubs in Tasmanian sport today.
The Redheads of '87 looked as sharp as the Redheads of today.
The years may have greyed the hair, and the lines were more defined, but the spark in those eyes still commanded the respect and passion that was there right until the end.
Your Telstra shares remained safe while Syd was near the phone, as he infectiously drew people to the Chieftain cause.
An entertaining, slashing top-order left-hander and a very useful leggie.
Accolades
Life member
Inaugural president for nine seasons
Premiership captain
John Harding Memorial Award recipient
Career statistics
151 games
2667 runs @ 23.81
Highest score - 90*
47 wickets @ 23.79
B/B - 3-46
Chieftain
Icons
Hadspen Cricket Club Icons are awarded this accolade via a vote of all life members at key club milestone events, with the first inducted at our 25-year reunion in 2012.
The life members' function is to vote on the selected nominees presented by the committee, thereby enshrining former players, current players, coaches, administrators, and volunteers to the Hadspen Cricket Club Icons honour board. Inductees are decided by way of a majority vote, with the following considerations:
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The nominee's outstanding service and overall contribution to the club;
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The nominee's individual record, ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and longevity;
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For an administrator (only), it is expected that the inductee would already be a life member;
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The player/coach's record, including winning premierships, batting, bowling, and club champion awards;
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A life member may be a candidate, but shall not vote for their own induction as a Chieftain Icon.
Paul Smith
A true visionary.
A genuine character.
Plenty of laughs on the field, plenty of laughs off the field.
Paul Smith was president from 1997 to 2004.
Festa, together with his committee, could see that for the Chieftain brand to grow and dominate again, it would need to leave the Sidmouth fortress.
An unsuccessful season trial at Kings Meadows High School did not deter him, and with great vision, determination, and fortitude, he led us to the ground and clubhouse facilities that we enjoy today - second to none in the league - the home of the Chieftains that we call Hadspen.
Thus, ensuring the future of the Chieftain brand and the pride it instils for the next generation to come.
A great character who always thought he was a superior batsman.
A handy slow-medium right-arm bowler who has taken some memorable wickets.
Accolades
Laugh a minute in the field
Life member
A member since Sidmouth XI's inception
Former president for seven seasons
Former captain
246 matches
An all-round good bloke - your friend and mine
Career statistics
243 games
3199 runs @ 16.32
Highest score - 100
151 wickets @ 20
B/B - 5-49
Grant Davern
Genuinely feared by some.
Revered by most.
Respected by all.
Ask 10 people to name a person that the Chieftains represent, and seven out of 10 will answer with the name of Grant Davern.
A tearaway quick in his prime. Nostrils flaring, jugular and every other vein and sinew pumping – a fair splash of white-line fever.
There was no finer sight than hunting the opposition with Davvy leading the attack.
A hard-hitting right-hand batsman and everything else at one pace – FLAT OUT.
Off-field – measured, considerate, a person who grew into a true leader over the years.
With Tracey never far behind in support, a wonderful servant to the club and the game at large.
Accolades
Life member
TCL Hall of Fame inductee - 2022
President and long-term committee member
Multiple premiership player
Team of the quarter century recipient
Ultimate premiership team recipient
Former captain
Multiple B&F winner
John Harding Memorial Award recipient
Career statistics
413 games
7594 runs @ 21.95
Highest score - 148
467 wickets @ 26.40
B/B - 6-24
John Bailey
The Swing King
The most decorated Chieftain of all.
Known simply as JB, he has done it all.
John Bailey mastered the craft of swing bowling, excelled at it, and throughout his three-decade career destroyed many batting line-ups with a simplistic approach.
This original Chieftain played in multiple premierships, won five Best and Fairests, played more than 430 matches, and took an astounding 636 wickets.
Bailey is a man who understood his game, and it worked. He took a wicket every 27th delivery, barely leaked a run, and claimed too many five-wicket hauls to count. His best performance stands at 8-5.
But his off-field work is just as impressive, nurturing the future generation via the club's junior program and passing on his priceless knowledge.
JB is a John Harding Memorial Award recipient and former treasurer.
He is passionate, ultra-competitive, loyal, and proud.
John Bailey, a life member, is a true Hadspen icon who optimised our brand.
Accolades
Life member
TCL Hall of Fame inductee -2023
A member since Sidmouth XI's inception
John Harding Memorial Award recipient
Former captain
Most club career matches
Club's leading wicket-taker
Multiple premiership player
Team of the quarter century recipient
Ultimate premiership side recipient
Career statistics
427 games
1352 runs @ 8.09
Highest score - 31*
636 wickets @ 15.98
B/B - 8-5
Peter De Boer
The Vet.
A spin bowler, an ordinary batsman, and an all-round great guy.
Player No.11 is the Chieftains' No.1 supporter.
Often 12th man, Peter De Boer only played 33 games – taking 15 wickets from 37.5 overs and scoring 78 runs at 7.09.
However, it is his off-field contribution that elevated this inaugural club life member to Icon status.
On several occasions, Pete has financially saved the club and has been a Sidmouth-Hadspen sponsor for more than 30 years.
He was treasurer from 1990 to 1992 and has been instrumental in making the club what it is today in every way possible.
He is a proud clubman, and you will regularly find him with a beer in hand on the sidelines, chatting with the players and spectators.
In 2013, the club named the bar in appreciation of The Vet's ongoing support.
The club is grateful for this man's loyalty, pride, and enduring commitment.
Accolades
Life member
Former treasurer
Long-time sponsor
John Harding Memorial Award recipient
Career statistics
33 games
78 runs @ 7.09
Highest score - 23
15 wickets @ 13.47
B/B - 4-9