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NRI independents clash on cricket pitch
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
In the spirit of Sir Donald Bradman and Australia’s proud cricketing
tradition, independent rural resellers of the NRI group clashed in a
friendly cricket series this month at Victoria’s Rupertswood Estate,
the birthplace of The Ashes back in 1882.
NRI Independent Rod Southwood and his son Dylan, of J. & D.
Southwood, in Maitland, joined with 60 other members of the rural
buying group to take part in the game, along with senior managers of
all the major companies that supply merchandise through NRI’s
national retail network.
While the cricket match and dinner with guest speaker, Max Walker,
were highlights, other agenda items included a seed workshop and
roundtable sessions on agronomy, crop protection, animal health,
wire, fencing and post-harvest packaging.
In addition to supplier liaison, Mr Southwood said the three-day
event provided a valuable update on the latest rural products and
technologies
now available to Australian farmers and the wider rural community.
“The cricket match was a great way to have quality time with our
supply partners without the usual sales pressure,” he said. “And I
reckon they would have gained some pretty useful insights into the
issues we face as independents in the service of our local farming
community.
“NRI should be congratulated for such an innovative idea and having
the courage to do things differently at our annual gathering.”
Back to cricket
Of the 12 teams assembled, 10 competed, with each team made up of
suppliers and resellers playing on two ovals simultaneously. The
rules of the game were altered slightly to account for varying
standards and to ensure a fair match.
Mr Southwood said his team, the “Shinboners”, did not make the
finals. Dylan’s team, the “Bodyliners”, fared better with the second
highest score of the day.
NRI’s Clare Pavy of Warwick Freighters in Queensland, won Woman of
the Match for her fine batting effort in the face of some strong
bowling and what looked shockingly like a low-down Chappell-style
delivery in the dying minutes of the match.
Also worthy of praise was Wayne Cameron of animal health company,
Novartis, who reportedly took five wickets in a six-ball over for
his team “The Flukicides” — a befitting name, perhaps.
Dylan Southwood
(left), of J. & D. Southwood, and his father Rod (right) caught up
with former cricket great Max Walker after the NRI-sponsored cricket
clash at Rupertswood Estate.
From left: Troy
Maitland of Agsave Merchandise, Kimba; guest speaker Max Walker; and
Rod Southwood of J. & D. Southwood, Maitland, enjoy a drink at the
end of the match. |
