Ian had a relatively long innings at SUCC, with 12 years of grade cricket, followed by being appointed as Chairman of the SUCC. He played a vital role in ensuring the continued success of the Club.
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We recently caught up with Ian, now a lifetime member of SUCC, and asked him to share some highlights of his time at the club.
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For Ian Foulsham (BA '65, LLB '68), cricket was never just a sport - but about building a community. He had enjoyed the game throughout his childhood and school days. He joined Sydney University Cricket Club (SUCC) while studying Arts and Law.
Ian had a relatively long innings at SUCC, with 12 years of grade cricket, followed by being appointed as Chairman of the SUCC. He played a vital role in ensuring the continued success of the Club.
We recently caught up with Ian, now a lifetime member of SUCC, and asked him to share some highlights of his time at the club.
From teammates to life-long friends
"I have so many great memories from those days - too many to count, but what has stayed with me most are the friendships."
A close-knit group of originally eight members still get together every year for dinner.
"Well, it's recently moved to a lunch date as we are not getting any younger," he laughs.
They invite three guests to make up a team of eleven. That group was initiated by one Richard Mesley, now sadly gone, and includes seven others, namely: Ian, Ron Alexander, Peter James, Richard Lee, Phil Scanlan, Robert Storey and Rob Thomas. They call themselves 'The Tontine', the idea being that small contributions accumulate, and the fund goes to the last man standing. However, some years ago, they contributed most of the then accumulated funds to aid an injured SUCC rugby player.
Sadly, last June, the SUCC lost one Edward Le Couteur. Edward was a driving force behind the SUCC Foundation - the fundraising arm that saw the Club not only survive but to go on to a monumental win of a premiership after an 89 year hiatus.
"I have so many great memories from those days - too many to count, but what has stayed with me most are the friendships."
Ian, Sydney University Cricket Club Foundation member
Paying it forward
"The Club Foundation Ted worked so hard to establish back then ensured that the Club continued to excel. I would like to see this tradition continue. To do that the Club needs financial support".
Putting his words into action, Ian has left a small bequest in his Will to the Club - something he says "just feels right".
"I hope my small contribution will provide the opportunity for others to experience the same camaraderie and community which I have felt and continues to be a large part of my life today."
These days you will find Ian on the fairways of Blackheath and Killara Golf Clubs but it is clear that no matter where he is, Ian's heart is never far from the cricket field.
The journey of reimagining SUCC as a bastion of cricketing excellence requires more than just passion; it requires the support of committed advocates whose love of the game is matched by their vision for the future.
Lead image credit: Sydney Uni Sport/ Dave Stanton, DKS Photography
