CRICKETING great Wayne Walsh was last night inducted to the Bendigo Advertiser-WIN Television Sports Star of the Year Hall of Fame.
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In terms of grand final success and runs, Walsh leads the way.
He played in 13 premiership-winning first XI teams, nine at Eaglehawk and four-in-a-row at Golden Square.
His induction into the Hall by another Eaglehawk legend Basil Ashman, a member of the Sports Star judging panel since its inception in 1965-66, was one of many highlights at the bankmecu-sponsored awards night at Bendigo Town Hall.
“Sometimes I guess you get involved with sport because you love doing things to help,” an emotial Walsh said after receiving a standing ovation.
The BDCA champion said seeing juniors develop as people through sport gave him as much satisfaction as his own stellar career.
“I get gratification through seeing young kids develop through sport because they’re becoming a better person,’’ Walsh said.
“The community plays a big role in sport. Without them we’re not great. They support us and we support them.”
Throughout an on-field career spanning more than 20 years, Walsh racked up thousands of runs – 10,068 to be exact.
His skill with the willow, in the slips cordon and as a leader earned selection in both clubs’ teams of the century and being named captain of the BDCA’s Team of the Century.
He first played in the second XI at White Hills where his father, Paddy was a team-mate.
The-then ambitious teenager joined Eaglehawk in 1975-76.
Walsh went on to play 225 matches for the Borough and was coach in the club’s finest era in which it won six premierships from 1983-84 to 1994-95.
Walsh crossed to Golden Square at the start of the ’95-96 season.
The club won the first XI grand final in his first year in charge.
Walsh holds the BDCA record of most first XI centuries, 24. His highest score was 202 not out.
Captain of many BDCA teams at Melbourne Country Cricket Week, Walsh had a five-year stint as coach, with the highlight being the Provincial Group title win in 2006-07. The success ended a 53-year run since Bendigo had been Country Week’s top team.
Walsh was the first player to win the BDCA Cricketer of the Year award three times.
He was inducted to the BDCA Hall of Fame in 2007 and is now president of the association.
Walsh’s greatest supporter is his wife, Kerrie.
Walsh was a premiership-winning player at Golden Square Football Club and coached at several clubs, which included North Bendigo and Eaglehawk.
