An Era Ends, Another Begins
November 19, 2024 marked the end of an era for Meraloma CC, when Len Layton stepped down after 13 years as Vice-president, Cricket.
Originally from Ballina in northern New South Wales, Len attended university in Sydney, then played for Marin Cricket Club in California. In 2007 Len moved to BC where he played one season for Langley CC before joining Meraloma CC, bringing us his skills as a match-winning allrounder, and just as importantly, an unwavering commitment to help our club grow and thrive. After taking on various roles with Meraloma, he eventually became head of the cricket section in 2011.
While at the helm, Len’s dedication and vision has allowed our club to enjoy a continuing series of long-term benefits, including: the creation of our highly successful women’s program; the expansion of our juniors’ program, which is now the largest in western Canada; the instalment of our permanent nets facility; the securing of sponsors; the creation of two new men’s teams; and the consolidation of our structure and place within the entire Meraloma Club organization, among many, many other achievements. Above all, Len has been responsible for ensuring that all Meraloma players and teams always follow the highest standards of sportsmanship and fair play.
Len has captained several Meraloma teams over the years, organized club tours to the USA, and hosted visiting teams. Additionally, he created and continues to manage the Over 40s League, which has grown by leaps and bounds and now includes our women’s team and many current and former Meraloma players.
Len has also served in various capacities with the BCMCL and Cricket BC, helping our sport’s local governing bodies to keep pace with, and meet the needs of, a massive growth in teams and player numbers. His efforts have included, among many other things, working with cricket’s stakeholders to revise and enforce local regulations and statutory obligations, and working tirelessly year after year to ensure that our grounds are reserved for cricket. Additionally, Len is on the Board of Directors of the Brockton Pavilion Society.
Fortunately for us, Len will continue to be active with Meraloma CC as a player and as a delegate to Cricket BC, and just as fortunately, he has handed over the reins to long-time Meraloma player and Junior Program Coordinator Iain Dixon, who is already busy implementing new initiatives for the 2025 season and beyond.
No matter where you play cricket, our sport always relies on a small number of dedicated volunteers. Most of us don’t realize all the efforts they make so the rest of us can enjoy weekend matches, mid-week practices, and club social events. So to all members, when you see Len on the field this season, please take a moment to thank him for all his hard work, as we owe him so much, and when you see Iain, please wish him the best of luck in the years ahead and offer to help keep our club moving forward!
And here are some ways that all of you can help this coming season:
- arrive at home games 45 MINUTES before the start to help sweep the mat, set things up, and organize warm-up drills
- keep the kit bag organized during the game so equipment doesn’t go missing
- pack the kit bag after the game
- put away the scoreboard, tables, cones, etc. after the games
- keep the practice equipment bins organized
- donate used kit to the practice bins
- pick up garbage left on the field after games and practices
- attend club social events, which are all posted on TEAMO
- support Stu’s clubhouse barbeques on Tuesdays during the season
- take photos at matches and send them with short comments to Fraser Allen via TEAMO so he can post them on our social media channels
See you out on the pitch for an amazing 2025 season!
Written by: Meraloma Cricket Club Secretary, Norman Baldwin