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Following on from the success of their predecessors in 2022, Joeys’ cricketers triumphed at the 49th Australian Marist Cricket Carnival, taking out the Ray Lindwall Trophy for Carnival Champions for the fourth time in the past five competitions.

Cricket at Joeys is not just a game of statistics – there are so many stories from across the years, with Stan McCabe (1926) undoubtedly our most revered cricketer. McCabe was only 14 years old when he donned the whites for his inaugural game in the Joeys First XI. Our youngest player at the Marist Carnival in December last year, Frederick Bruce (Y9), also 14 years old, shows great promise as a batsman and wicketkeeper. Frederick’s outstanding batting performance of 152 runs (not out) last year in the Second XI game against Shore School demonstrated real grit and determination.

The Barclay family
The First XI’s vice-captain, Jack Barclay (Y12), is the son of the 1984 First XI captain, David Barclay, who went on to play for Randwick Cricket Club after completing his schooling at Joeys. David was considered “a thoughtful captain who led by example” and “a consistent class player” (College Magazine 1984). He was the opening batsman for the Combined GPS Firsts and was awarded the Stan McCabe Trophy for the Most Outstanding Cricketer of the Year in 1984.

Reflecting on his time at Joeys, David recalls his start in the 13As and the driving ambition that propelled him through to the Firsts. The Park, a bustling cricket hub where four games were often played simultaneously, with cricket balls streaking across pitches from adjacent games, is etched in his memory. He remembers yearning to join the action on the main ground, where the First XI fast bowlers and hard-hitting batsmen showcased their skills.

Attaining a position in the First XI was a dream realised, a privilege he cherished, and now, seeing Jack chosen for the 2023/24 First XI and selected as vice-captain, it is “quite surreal after all these years,” says David. “I was fortunate enough to attend a Marist Cricket Carnival at Sale Catholic College in 1983, so watching Jack play in the Marist Carnival brought back some great memories for me, including being billeted out and having to stay in a caravan in someone’s backyard.”

Like his father, Jack loves his cricket and had an outstanding Carnival, named Player of the Day with 152 runs off 124 balls in the match against Lavalla Catholic College Traralgon on day four, which included 18 fours and one six.

Both Jack’s parents agree that the opportunity to play cricket in the First XI at Joeys is something Jack will cherish for the rest of his life. “It is always great to see your son score runs and we are very excited and proud of him … It has been nearly 40 years since I played in the First XI [but] I know for sure I never scored anywhere near 152 in any innings,” states David.

Following the Marist Carnival, Jack was selected in the Combined Marist XI (team of the Carnival), along with Max Circosta (Y11), Angus Cornish (Y12) and Jack’s cousin Hamish Smith (Y12).

St Joseph’s College Marist Cricket Carnival squad: Back Row: Mr David Wiseman (Manager), Hamish Smith, Liam Hill, Callum McCall, Monty Schmude, Archie Hall, Joshua Harrold, Mr Ash Squire (Coach), Mr Michael Radziowsky (Cricket Convenor) Front Row: Julian Ryan, Max Circosta, Patrick Cant, Angus Cornish (captain), Jack Barclay (vice-captain), Frederick Finlayson, Frederick Bruce.

The Hill family
Another Stan McCabe Trophy winner, captain of the Combined GPS team and captain of Joeys’ First XI, was Brendan Hill (1991), who superbly led the 1991 team, and whose son Liam (Y12) also follows in both his father’s and his uncle’s footsteps with his selection in the Marist Carnival squad for the second time.

Brendan remembers the Marist Carnivals as the highlight of the Joeys’ cricket season and with Liam fortunate to be selected in the 2023/24 team, he says “both Ange and I are so proud that Liam always tries his best and gets out there and has a go”.

He notes that it was great to be able to attend the Carnival last year as part of the parent spectator group, as “meeting the other families really brings the whole team together and fosters connections both on and off the field”.

Reflecting on his own years at Joeys, Brendan was inspired by his older brother Jason (1987), who was selected to play in the First XI in Year 10 after captaining the 15As the previous year, winning the premiership in 1985 as well as the Marist Carnival in 1986 and was selected in the GPS representative team.

As captain of the 1991 team, Brendan was respected for “his knowledge, on-field tactics and understanding of both the game and his team … complemented by his own natural ability as an off-spinner of immense class, and a talented batsman”.

Brendan’s father and Liam’s grandfather, Michael Hill (1961), was a member of the renowned 1961 First XI premiership-winning team, who at the time were considered “one of the best teams the College has produced”, winning the premiership 10 points ahead of their nearest rival The King’s School, with one match still to play.

Michael went on to play Sheffield Shield cricket for NSW between 1964/65 and 1974/75. He is understandably proud that two of his sons and his grandson played First XI cricket at Joeys. “Playing in the Joeys First XI for two seasons was a highlight of my time at the College … 50 years later, some of the ‘boys’ get together for regular golf trips. We became friends for life, as so many Old Boys do,” says Michael. “An amazing highlight was a visit to The Park by Stan McCabe, the most famous Old Boy cricketer of them all. He came up to watch us train one afternoon, accompanied by fellow legend, Bill O’Reilly, described by Sir Donald Bradman as the best bowler he ever saw.”

“Over the years as parents of Jason and Brendan, Anne and I have travelled to several Marist Carnivals, in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra, which greatly enhanced the family friendships that exist today.” The Hills love coming to watch Liam play and are still in touch with Old Boys who played in the 1961 team – forming lifelong friendships, including with Monty Schmude’s grandparents, Karl and Virginia, through the Joeys’ cricket connection.

The Schmude family
Monty Schmude (Y12), a versatile all-round player in the First XI and the Marist Carnival squad, continues a family cricketing legacy, mirroring the paths of his brother, father and uncle, who all graced the College pitches. Monty’s father, David (1992), was the wicketkeeper and vice-captain of the Second XI in 1992 and was recognised as a formidable fielder. Monty’s uncle, Paul (1991), was considered a first-class wicketkeeper as a member of the 1991 GPS Championship team. And Monty’s brother, Oliver (2022), captained the First XI, was awarded the Vince Carrick Memorial Cup for Contribution to College Cricket for 2021/22 and was recognised as the best fielder for his “outstanding effort as wicketkeeper taking 10 catches and five stumpings throughout the season”.

“Being a ‘cricket tragic’ myself I enjoyed watching our sons playing cricket at Joeys,” says David Schmude. “Seeing the boys develop their skills, value their teammates, enjoy the competitive experience of playing for Joeys, are among the memories I most appreciate. There are also special bonds of friendship among parents of the boys who have the opportunity of watching their sons play for Joeys.”

Recalling his years at Joeys, David values the strong sporting culture, as one of four boys in his family who attended the College in the 1990s. “My family has always valued the rich history of Joeys’ cricket of producing talented cricketers and respected sportsmen,” he says. “It’s great to see that continuing today with a well-established cricket program.”

The program’s depth is evident with Monty and his teammates having the opportunity to participate in the Marist Cricket Carnival, the Old Boys match – where Monty played against his father, who top scored for the Old Boys with 33 runs – as well as the match against the NSW Pathways Under 16s team on 25 January, where Monty contributed a handy 42 runs off 33 balls. Joeys’ win against the talented Pathways squad was sealed by Jack Barclay’s confident hit for six off the final ball, to record a magnificent century (103 runs off 97 balls).

Monty appreciates the history of the Marist Carnival, particularly as his grandfather played 100 years ago on the same field “so that made it really interesting,” he says. “Cricket is my favourite sport as I really like being out on the field all day on a Saturday and my brother and I have always enjoyed playing backyard cricket.”

It is clear that the tradition of excellence in cricket at Joeys is not just about the records and accolades, but also about the personal, shared experiences that span generations. The Barclay, Hill and Schmude families epitomise the legacy of Joeys’ cricket, where a passion for the game is passed down. The Marist Cricket Carnival is a celebration of this legacy, captured in the stories of these families, with each run scored, each wicket taken, each game played at the Carnival contributing to Joeys’ cricket history.