Alan Cotter and Derek Beard have been awarded Life Membership of the Bay of Plenty Cricket Association recently.

The pair have become just the third and fourth members to receive the honour since the BOPCA was affiliated to New Zealand Cricket in 1931.

Alan Cotter is one of four life member of Bay of Plenty Cricket. Photo: Te Puke Cricket Facebook page.

'The board is delighted to be able to recognise two such worthy recipients who have provided fantastic service to cricket in the region over an extended period of time,” says Bay of Plenty Cricket chairman Richard Dey.

'We have recently reinvigorated the Life Membership process and hope to be able to continue to acknowledge outstanding members in coming years.”

Derek Beard became just the second Bay of Plenty player to reach 100 games for Bay of Plenty.

Beard played the most matches for Bay of Plenty (105), contributed the second most runs (2843), and took the most wickets (204). Beard also played eight games for Northern Districts

The name of Derek Beard first appeared in the Bay of Plenty scorebook in January 1981, when Bay of Plenty played Hamilton at Smallbone Park in a Hawke Cup elimination game.

Beard played his last game in the Bay of Plenty uniform against Midlands in February 1998.

Derek leads the list of Bay of Plenty Hawke Cup Direct Challenge appearances with 13 games (1982-86-87-91-94-97-98).

During his 13 Hawke Cup Direct Challenges, he blasted 549 runs with a highest score of 135. Derek sits second on the Bay of Plenty Hawke Cup wicket tally with 21 wickets and best bowling figures of 6/48.

Since retiring from representative cricket, Beard has gone on to be a stalwart of the Mount Maunganui Cricket Club. He has maintained strong links with the junior game and created a pathway from Mount Maunganui College to senior cricket at the Mount Maunganui Club.

Beard also played a huge role in the organisation of the ND One-Day games played at Blake Park, from 1987 until the mid-2000s.

He continues to give starling service to Bay of Plenty Cricket as a current Board member and is willing helper with wife Jenny around the Bay Oval, whenever there is a need for manpower

Alan Cotter has a passion for cricket that dates back to his playing days well over half a century ago.

The first name that comes to people's minds about Te Puke Cricket is Alan Cotter. Alan is a long time Te Puke Cricket Club administrator and was one of the prime movers in upgrading of the clubhouse and facilities at the picturesque Te Puke Domain.

He also played a big role in the Te Puke CC 120^th and 125^th jubilee celebrations in the new Millennium.

The long-time Te Puke CC secretary picked up the administration reins at Bay of Plenty Cricket, when the organisation moved to amalgamate with junior cricket, in the 1990's.

Alan faithfully recorded the key facts and decisions around amalgamation and he published the major discussion documents, which came from the various think-tanks, allowing Bay of Plenty Cricket to move forward.

Alan was also involved in the BOPCA Umpires Association for many years.

Alan has undertaken multiple roles in the Te Puke Community with service to St John's, Toy Library, Night Owls and other community organisations and has been recognised with Trustpower Community Services Award. He has also been involved with a number of school committees.

Alan Cotter lives by the philosophy, that if everyone does their bit in the community then the community is a better place for it.

The two other BOPCA Life Members are long-time Bay of Plenty and Rotorua cricket administrator Alan Long and Mike Wright who rewrote the batting records during his twenty-two season playing in the Bay of Plenty uniform.

Bay of Plenty Cricket Life Members

Alan Long (1990) Rotorua

Michael Wright (2007) Tauranga

Derek Beard (2016) Mount Maunganui

Alan Cotter (2016) Te Puke