The Eagles Cricket we know and love today has been guided by many helping hands as it
evolved over the years. This is the story of our club.
It begins in 1945 when the Association we now play under became the Georges River-
Penshurst District Cricket Association. This changed in 1993 when the Association came
to be known as the Georges River-St George DCA, then once more in 2016 when it became
St George District Cricket Association.
The Beverly Hills Eagles Cricket Club (until the 1990s known as Regina Coeli Sports Club)
commenced around the 1976 Season, a junior club with Under 8’s and Under 10’s called
the Royal Koalas. The Club may have gone even further back than that, but no records
remain today. Back then, teams were run informally, as there was no Club Committee to
organise it all. The Royal Koalas played in the then St. George District Cricket Association,
mainly made up of pupils from Regina Coeli School; Beverly Hills North; Beverly Hills
Public; Hannans Road; McCallums Hills and Narwee Public schools. The Eagles’ initial
volunteers were, to name a few: Bob McMahon, Peter Lyle, Peter Pezzutti, and Des O’Neill,
joined later by Max Fleming. Ron Costello was the Co-Ordinator/ Secretary in 1985, and
we became known as the Beverly Hills Eagles Cricket Club. In 1989, Jim Bergin took over
the role of Co-Ordinator with Neil Quirk formally taking over the leadership role from
1996 onwards, with the administrative assistance of Angela Compton.
In 1991 Regina Coeli School became K – 6, creating a pathway for an Under 12’s team to
be formed. With Ron Costello coaching initially, that team was eventually managed and
coached by Bob Chipman and John Mather from 1990 — 1998. Seeing an U10
Championship season in 1991/1992, a majority of these players progressed into our senior
Eagles teams and are still playing today.
In 1994, Dave North and Ron Ryan from the Peakhurst Bowling Club Cricket Club were
approached by Ron Costello to coach and manage the “Eagles” Under 16’s. During those
early years, players from the Under 16’s were often called on to play in the Senior
competition in the afternoon, during which time they gained vast experience against much
older players. A problem with this was that, as we were each separate senior and junior
clubs, as well as a separate Senior and Junior Association, it became necessary for those
junior players to also be registered with the senior Peakhurst Bowling Club Cricket Club,
to allow them to partake in both competitions.
To overcome this problem, two members of the Senior Club, (Peakhurst Bowling Club
Cricket Club) sought and received approval from Ron Costello and Jim Bergin to change its
name to join Beverly Hills Eagles Cricket Club, which was approved by all members and
commenced playing as that in both Senior and Junior Competitions from the 1998/99
Season. This allowed juniors to play in both competitions without having to be registered
twice.
The present Beverly Hills Eagles Cricket & Sports Club Inc. was formally incorporated in
2004.
There have been many exciting sporting developments throughout our history as a Club.
In 2007 the St Joseph’s Sports Association folded with only Netball continuing till 2014,
and in 2008, Regina Coeli School would no longer pay insurance for their players. This led
to Kathy Daher with Elizabeth Chipman approaching the Cricket Committee requesting to
join Eagles Club, which was granted with great enthusiasm. Elizabeth Chipman continued
to play a key role in the Club and has been Honourable Secretary for a number of years.
The Eagles Club have organised many fundraising socials and Golf days, thanks to the
efforts of past and present members and those on the Committee. In 1997 we even formed
a friendly relationship with Gerringong Cricket Club for an annual Inter-Club challenge,
which alternated between the two clubs on an annual home and away basis for a period of
7 seasons, with the final result 4-3 in the “Eagles” favour. Many close matches were had,
and strong friendships were formed over these seven years. Our older members will
remember the many good nights that were had on the away trips at Gerringong Bowling
Club and Mick Cronin’s Gerringong Hotel.
In our 2020/21 season the Club saw our first ever female representative, Garwa Li, play in
the Molly Dive Shield, with the high score of 77. Muhamad Aayan Mazhar also represented
us in the WS Gee Shield.
The St George District Association also recognises the Keith Compton “In the Spirit of
Cricket” Annual Award, with two of our very own members, Debbie Nader and Elizabeth
Chipman being presented the award in 2016 and 2021 respectively.
We are proud to say that three of our members have also had the honour of representing
the St George District in Cricket. Well done to Daniel and Matthew Abel, and David North
(son of Graham North) for your representation of our Club and District. David North is a
Life Member of the St George District Association, and both Michael Abel and Sean Myers
have served on the executive of the Association.
Historically, on Saturday 2nd of November 2013, Simon Daher matched a feat once
achieved by the late and great St George and Australian cricketer Ray Lindwall. Simon,
playing for Eagles Under 16’s that morning, at Gannons 1, scored a century (100 not out)
against Kingsgrove Cricket Club. The afternoon at Gannons 5, saw Simon score another
century (106) in 4th Grade against Penshurst West. These events were 76 years apart,
almost to the day. Ray scored his double centuries (219 and 110) on the 30th of October
1937 in Under 16’s and A2. We applaud this magnificent achievement by Simon. He still
plays in our highest grade with his cousin and Captain Matthew Abel.
Ron Ryan is our Patron and a Life Member of the Eagles and DeLa Salle Cricket Club, as
well as the District Association. Additionally, he is a Co-Patron of the St GDCA. He
appoints Umpires for the Seniors’ competition each week. Ron’s close association with
Peakhurst Bowling Club has led to him being involved in many sports, including managing
the Baseball Cardinals: team competition and carnivals. Ron’s Cricket coaching and
managing of junior teams began with the De La Salle Club. Ron Ryan’s association with
players from Peakhurst Cricket Club led to the amalgamation and setup of the Eagles
Cricket Club with Graham North. The Graham North Medal is awarded to the Senior
Cricketer of the Year of each season.