Victorian Country Cricket League honours Alan Sperling

RENOWNED Koonwarra cricket identity Alan Sperling’s outstanding service to the sport was acknowledged on Sunday when he was awarded Life Membership of the Victorian Country Cricket League (VCCL) at the organisation’s AGM held at St Kilda’s Junction Oval.

“It’s a pretty big honour really, and I wasn’t expecting anything like that,” Sperling said. 

He was recognised as a “committed and respected VCCL administrator”, representing his region on the Board for 19 years from 1981 until 2000.

“His contributions were always well considered, valued and respectful,” Sperling’s Life Membership certificate states.

His role as manager of Victorian country cricket squads participating in the Australian National Championships was noted, Sperling having assumed that responsibility a couple of times, with his squads playing in Sale one year and Toowoomba the next.

He was heavily involved in Melbourne Country Week, playing 93 matches between 1954 and 1981 for Leongatha & District Cricket Association (LDCA), and scoring almost 2000 runs including a couple of centuries, having made his Melbourne Country Week debut aged just 15.

Sperling was vice captain of the 1976 LDCA Country Week side that defeated Warrnambool in the Provincial Group final at the MCG, making the Leongatha outfit champions of the Country Week competition’s top level.

At a 2022 reunion of LDCA players involved in the famous match, Sperling reflected on the significance of Country Week in that era.

“Everyone wanted to play then and it was like being picked in the Test team,” he said, adding that the 1976 LDCA team had a clear focus on achieving success and not just a week away.

Sperling captained the LDCA team for an impressive 14 years.

That was on top of his 40-year career for Koonwarra that netted 16,000 runs.

He was a long-term secretary of the LDCA.

LDCA president John Schelling was delighted by the recognition of Sperling’s contribution, the Association having nominated him.

“We wholeheartedly congratulate Alan; he’s a great ambassador for cricket in Gippsland,” Schelling said.

However, he expressed disappointment the LDCA wasn’t made aware of Sunday’s event, as it would have loved to have a presence at the Junction Oval to support and congratulate Sperling.

Sperling’s latest honour follows his induction into the VCCL’s Hall of Fame last year, acknowledging his extraordinary career representing the LDCA in Country Week.