History

A Brief History Of Ainslie Park

Ainslie Park Cricket Club was founded in 1976 following the amalgamation of the Croydon West and East Ringwood United Churches (formerly East Ringwood Methodist) Cricket Clubs. Croydon West CC played on a site in Ware Crescent, Ringwood East, on the site where the Maroondah Hospital now stands. Ainslie Park Reserve was formed from bushland near Maroondah Secondary College in early 1976 and Ainslie Park Cricket Club has played its 1st XI games on Ainslie Park from its first game in October 1976.

There were no clubrooms for the first 10 years, and after-match gatherings were at members homes, usually in Ainslie Park Avenue. Afternoon teas were held under a group of pine trees where Maroondah Community Centre now stands. Our clubrooms at Ainslie Park were officially opened in 1986, giving the club a permanent home base.

The club initially fielded 2 teams and won the A grade premiership in the 1983/84 season, elevating it to the Chandler Shield grade. The club expanded to field as many as 8 senior teams and 12 junior teams, riding a boom of young families in the area in the early 1990s.

The club has won two RDCA premier grade (former Chandler Shield) premierships, 1993/94 and 1999/2000, amongst 69 premierships won throughout its relatively short history (34 senior, 10 veteran, 23 junior and as of 2020/21 one each in the Senior and Veterans T20 competitions - see lists below). Ainslie Park's most succesful season in the senior competition was 2011/12 when all seven senior teams competed in grand finals and the club brought home five flags.

Ainslie Park currently competes in the RDCA premier grade (Trollope Shield) and fields 5 senior teams, five junior teams (a Stage 1 girls team, two in under-12, an under-14, and an under-16) and conducts a Woolworths Cricket Blasters clinic for youngsters.

The club caters for players aged 5 – 75, encompassing many different skill levels and backgrounds.

Ainslie Park is active in the association and has members involved with the Ringwood and District Cricket Association Committees at all three levels.

The future for the club looks strong and stable, with a committed group of volunteers at the helm, keen to be progressive and innovative guardians of our proud club.

RDCA Club Championships

Senior Premierships

Junior Premierships

Senior Coach

Club Champion