Jolly Family Cup - Tribute to Bruce Jolly

This weekends round 1 match against Northern District marks the first Jolly Family Cup encounter since the passing of OAM Bruce Jolly. The Jolly cup commemorates the great service and dedication to cricket made by the Jolly family. Players, officials and spectators will mark the occasion with a minutes silence prior to the game.

Bruce Jolly was featured in an edition of the Salisbury Aware magazine in 2007. Below is an extract of that interview.

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At 14 years old, Bruce Jolly had no idea that he would still be having a love affair with the game of cricket, but 60 years on, he has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his commitment to the sport, received an award for his service to cricket and is now an honorary member of the South Australian Cricket Association.

He may be 74 years old but that doesn’t stop Bruce from leading an active sporting life at the Northern District Cricket Club based at Salisbury Oval. “I started playing cricket when I was 14, and was a bit of an all-rounder,” explains Bruce. “I lived in the country and if you didn’t play cricket, football or tennis, there was nothing
else to do with your time!” Bruce played cricket for Adelaide Turf Cricket Association and has been heavily involved with local cricket since he moved to the area, playing recreational cricket at Salisbury Cricket Club (now Northern District Cricket Club). He is also the former chairman of the club, a position he held for 24 years.

“I really enjoyed playing cricket, and I still have a passion for the game. My son works at Adelaide Oval and my entire family has been involved with sport and I must take this opportunity to thank them for their support, particularly my wife Judy. I’m still a delegate for the South Australian Cricket Association and am the administrator at the Northern District Cricket Club.”

Bruce spends much of his free time at the cricket club, helping to look after the maintenance of the grounds, and involving himself with the sport wherever he can. The rest of his spare time is spent attending cricket matches at Adelaide Oval where he is an honorary member of the South Australian Cricket Association.

“I love watching cricket, whether it’s a big Test match, or a local side. The buzz is still the same for me and it’s a thrill to see young people you know, doing well in the sport they love.” At Northern District Cricket Club, Bruce watches closely on upcoming talents. The club already has a history of producing state and international players, including Darren Lehmann, Graham Manou, Ryan Harris and Mark Cosgrove with the Redbacks. Former representatives are Rick Darling, Glen Bishop, Wayne Prior, Harvey Jolly and Barry Causby.

“We have about 200 members, including women, at the club, and I chair the sub-committee of the women’s team. The club, which amalgamated with Elizabeth ten years ago, is doing really well. We have 11 sides and at least eight of those will make finals.”

Recently the club celebrated success with four of their under 17 players who won the South Australian Cricket Championship and there are also four members who play for the Redbacks. “Through the 1970s and 1980s, Salisbury Cricket Club was very successful, winning eight premiership titles. It has been great to be involved with the club for such a long time and by mixing with the younger players it keeps me young!” Bruce is a life member of Para District Cricket Association, Northern District Cricket Club, Central District Football Association and Central United Football Club, having also played football and umpired matches.