The shortlist – made up of 30 members – recognizes those past and present who have had a significant impact on the game of cricket both in the region and beyond.
Prior to the ceremony, The news will air special features on all 30 players, ahead of the release of a commemorative magazine on November 25.
The Shepparton Youth Club has always been in Peter Whitelock’s blood.
Following in the footsteps of his father – who played over 400 games for the club – Whitelock grew up in and around SYC, watching the legends that came before him and dreaming of one day donning the famous blue and yellow cap at level HAS. .
This dream would become a reality for Whitelock at the ripe old age of 16, as he entered the world of A-level cricket, a raw yet talented all-rounder.
“My dad had a long and decorated career at SYC which meant growing up I was always around the club watching him play and learning the game,” Whitelock said of his humble beginnings.
“I started training with dad when I was around six and from then on it was just a no-brainer that I would play for the youth club at some point.
“My journey on the pitch started when I was 10 as a junior, started at the under-15s and worked my way up to my senior debut when I was just 16 – and at the back then, playing a game was such a thrill.”
What brought about those early days in the late 1970s was arguably the most accomplished cricketing career in Shepparton Youth Club history, as Whitelock became the figurehead of one of the greatest cricketing dynasties in the region.
From 1979-80 to 1989-90, SYC won eight premierships, with Whitelock captaining seven of those triumphs.
He described his start at the top level and how the club developed into a Cricket Shepparton powerhouse.
“Coming into Class A playing against these Shepparton cricketing legends like Colin Edwards and Des Campbell, for me as a 16 year old against these guys, it was a great experience and one that has stood me in good stead. “, said Whitelock. .
“Playing cricket for SYC in the 80s was so much fun, when we won our first premiership all 11 players on that team came through our juniors which was unheard of at the time.
“Our success as a club has been built on developing this local talent, and we have changed the way other clubs in the region have built their squads.
“They were good teams and a lot of great players came through the club during that decade, but more importantly we had great people too.”
In action: Peter Whitelock in the latter part of his career playing for Shepparton Youth Club.
During this decade of glory, Whitelock and his teammates would experience countless moments of success that many others would see as career highlights.
Looking back on that incredible time, he said there was one game in particular that stood out above all else.
“For me, the first premiership in 1979-80 was the most important,” he said.
“We were a young team and the expectations were probably not there for the club to do as well as they did that year.
“But in the grand final we managed to post a massive total of over 500 and Katandra actually conceded defeat on day three, and that changed the rules on how the finals would be played.
“I personally had a hundred in that game, which added a bit of icing on the cake, and from there we were able to build an incredible decade of success.”
Following the SYC dynasty, Whitelock can be called one of three players in Cricket Shepparton history to lead a team to seven A-level premierships – alongside the Central Park-St Brendan Rohan Larkin and Alumni star Dave Shaw.
“Being the team captain at that time was such an honor,” Whitelock said.
“Our team was full of great players and great people, so having the opportunity to work with them and coach them every week is something I will forever cherish.
“But at the end of the day the captain is as good as the team and I was very lucky to have this group of players who loved representing the club behind me.”
So how does the man himself describe his incredible cricketing exploits and selection for the Shepparton Cricket Team of the Century?
Well, the answer, as is its nature, was as humble as it could be.
“That’s a tough question to answer, but I would probably describe myself as competitive but fair,” he said.
“To be nominated for this Team of the Century is an absolute honour, I have played with and against many great cricketers in the 30 plus years that I have played.
“So to be in this business is very humbling.”
