Bruce Cooper (pictured above) was inducted into the Cricket Albury Wodonga (CAW) Hall Of Fame in March 2021.

Bruce started his cricket career with Coburg before moving to Rand in 1949 where he broke into the top grade playing alongside his father, George. The patient right-hander went on to win the Pigeon’s batting award on 9 occasions. 

During the 1971-72 season, Bruce finished 3rd in the competition’s Cricketer of the Year award and scored the only century of his career, as well as grabbing a 5 wicket haul. His off-breaks saw him take out a club bowling award in his final season at the age of 49. The highlight of his career was captaining Rand to the 1973-74 premiership. He holds the title as the club’s longest serving captain of 11 seasons. 

He served as president of the Brocklesby and District Cricket Association (BDCA) for a record 22 years and spent 4 seasons at the helm of Rand. His dedication saw him earn life membership with both the Rand Cricket Club and the BDCA. 

Bruce represented the BDCA on 11 occasions and led the side to a Maddison Shield. The BDCA Under 14 Shield was named in Bruce and his wife, Esme’s honour. 

Another Hall Of Famer, Dave Coulston, played cricket for Rand in 2001-02.

Terry Banfield (who bowled left arm wrist spin) represented Riverina against Murrumbidgee in 1972-73 at Wagga Wagga (the first player from the BDCA for 4 years) and had match figures of 7 for 59 (5-53 & 2-6). He was then selected for Riverina – Murrumbidgee against Southern District – Southern Tablelands at Cootamundra and became the first player from the BDCA to achieve this feat.

Stan Hague Sr was the President of the BDCA for 19 years until 1964 and then Bruce Cooper took over the job for 22 years. The A Grade Shield was named the Stan Hague Memorial Shield in his honour and the Shield for the Juniors was named in honour of Bruce and Esme Cooper. 

References and more
The above information is from the “The Border Mail“ newspaper
The winners of BDCA awards will be indicated by an asterisk (*) in the Rand C. C. Awards section.