Welcome to Penrith RSL Cricket Club

“This Cricket Club’s story began when then two young soldiers (Jack Rattenbury and John Parkes) were in a mountain top jungle in New Guinea during World War Two
and in a lull in the battle going on they talked about what they would do if they survived it all and they agreed that as they both loved cricket, they would form a cricket club. They did eventually come home and on the 23rd of July 1948, with a number of then young men from the Second World War, called a meeting in the old army drill hall on Henry Street (since long gone) our first RSL Club, and formed this senior cricket club.”

This is a quote from our Founder, the late Jack Rattenbury, which he used to begin every Presentation Evening. Now in our 75th year, we run Junior teams up to age 16 in the Penrith Junior Cricket Association and Senior teams in the Nepean District Cricket Association

Latest News

Junior Presentation

On Sunday 26th May, we held the Junior Presentation at the Penrith Indoor Sports & Recreation Centre.

There was a great turnout and both coaches talked about how much the teams had improved over the season and how much they'd enjoyed themselves.

The awards went to:

Under 9s:

Batting aggregate: Harrison Moore 75 runs

Bowling aggregate: Jack Hoogenboom 13 wickets

Coach’s Award: Gabriel Hartmann

Under 12s:

Batting aggregate: Liam Chie 108 runs

Bowling aggregate: Liam Chie 9 wickets

Coach’s Award: Thomas Svanberg.

Penrith RSL CC 75th Anniversary and 2023/24 Presentation Dinner

On Friday 19th April, we celebrated our 75th Anniversary and 2023/24 season with a Celebration Dinner in the Hornseywood Room at the RSL Club. We started with our President, Allan Rowan, welcoming guests and giving a summary of the club history.

Our Treasurer, Robyn Hill, interviewed Toni Lorraine, scorer for the Sydney Test, the Women’s and Men’s ODI games in Sydney and the One-day Cup and BBL Finals, amongst many other representative matches. Toni gave a wonderful insight into the world of scoring, along with some of the quirkier moments.

The main guest of the evening was Australian Test Cricketer #322, Greg Matthews. He was interviewed Q&A-style by John Tooth, our MC. His answers to the questions were as maverick as he himself was during his playing days, but he did give an insight into life as a test cricketer and some of his opinions on his peers.

The awards followed – thanks to the NDCA, we had a bat signed by Qais Ahmed as a lucky door prize, won by 4th Grade’s Nathan Brettle. We then moved onto the main awards, which were presented by the Life Members present at the evening. As well as the Club Awards, Bailey Tebbutt received the Nepean District Cricket Association batting aggregate award for 2nd Grade and Christian Rasmus won the wicketkeeping award for 7th Grade.

The main Club Award is the Jack Rattenbury Shield, given to the player with the most points earned throughout the season. It was presented by former President Paul Burrell. The top 5 were made up of players from 4 different Grades, which is testament to the depth of talent at the club. The winner with 728 points was Bailey Tebbutt.

We finished with a Bat Raffle, which was won by former player Darrin Baker and a Presentation of a Life Members Blazer to President Allan Rowan.

We would like to thank the Penrith RSL for their continued support, Georgia and the functions team for a lovely meal and great bar service, the NDCA for the donation of the bats for the raffles and all the Life Members and former players that attended.

From the Cricket Club perspective, thanks to Ian Bowman for a fantastic commemorative brochure, Robyn Hill for arranging the memorabilia and decorations, Patrick Rowan for creating the placemats and everyone else that contributed to a great night.

A season of nearly, but not quite

The 2023/24 Season saw three Senior sides reach the finals. 9th Grade fell in the Plate final in a great end to their debut season. 4th Grade reached the Grand Final in their first season at that grade, but fell short to Emu Plains. Second Grade also reached the Grand Final in their first season at that level, but also fell short to Emu Plains. In the T20 Competition, both A & B Grades lost their Grand Finals in Division 1 & 2 respectively. Overall, a great season for teams stretching themselves at higher levels.

High Performers in 2023/24

Penrith RSL CC had players recognised by the Nepean District Cricket Association for their performance in the 2023/24 Season. Bailey Tebbutt won the 2nd Grade Batting Aggregate. Christian Rasmus won the 7th Grade Wicketkeeping award. Congratulations Bailey and Christian.

The Spirit of Cricket

Everybody knows about the MCC Laws of Cricket, but very few remember the preamble at the start of those Laws. This is referred to as "The Spirit of Cricket" and are a set of Values and Guiding Principles to maintain the spirit of Fair Play. We at Penrith RSL Cricket Club look to play the game in the right spirit.

Cricket owes much of its appeal and enjoyment to the fact that it should be played not only according to the Laws, but also within the Spirit of Cricket. The major responsibility for ensuring fair play rests with the captains, but extends to all players, match officials and, especially in junior cricket, teachers, coaches and parents.

Respect is central to the Spirit of Cricket.
Respect your captain, team-mates, opponents and the authority of the umpires.
Play hard and play fair.
Accept the umpire’s decision.
Create a positive atmosphere by your own conduct, and encourage others to do likewise.
Show self-discipline, even when things go against you.
Congratulate the opposition on their successes, and enjoy those of your own team.
Thank the officials and your opposition at the end of the match, whatever the result.
Cricket is an exciting game that encourages leadership, friendship and teamwork, which brings together people from different nationalities, cultures and religions, especially when played within the Spirit of Cricket.