March 28th marked the end of an era for WGC Cricket. After the season's final game, the 1st XI lost both its inspirational captain and its super-dedicated coach as Kate Chandler and John, her dad, step down from their roles.

As a player, Kate has been a force of nature in secondary school cricket: one of a handful to be contracted to their provinces to play List A, and a New Zealand representative at Under 18 level. Needless to say, she will leave a huge hole in the 1st XI. Players from other schools have frequently been heard to say that their own teams are only waiting for Kate to move on so that they can compete with WGC on an even footing. But her value is not only as an irrepressible batter, dangerous leg-spin bowler and livewire fielder. She has been a superb captain, with the knack for creating a positive team vibe and getting the best from her players. It is a minor tragedy that Kate will not get a richly-deserved third chance to take her side to Christchurch to compete in the national secondary schools competition, the Gillette Venus Cup. Last week, WGC were narrowly beaten for that honour by a very strong Tawa College side (a cruel reversal of the result of the previous day's fixture between the two teams, where WGC beat Tawa in pool play). At the end of the match and WGC's Venus campaign, Kate gave a typically gracious and magnanimous speech in which she congratulated Tawa, commiserated with her own players and just generally showed her class. Farewell, Kate! We'll all miss you, and enjoy following your stellar career from here!

Also leaving, after three years coaching, is John Chandler. While Kate's commitments meant that she was usually absent for regular season games in the schools competition, John was always there, his enthusiasm and dedication undiminished. Equally happy as head coach or (for a season) as assistant to young female cricketing star Beth Moloney, John's players always knew that their welfare and future development were as important to him as their performance in any given match. He had the knack of creating a happy ship and a rare gift for making trainings fun, both essential ingredients in WGC's success in the last three years. The approach he and Kate took to the recent Venus Cup qualifiers, where they ensured they gave plenty of opportunity to young and prospective players in all matches despite the high stakes, has left us with a pool of highly promising players and bright prospects. Go well, John! You have our undying thanks!

WGC's 1st XI has been many times commended and awarded for their spirit and sportsmanship. It was John and Kate who set the tone, and they will be missed by the wider community, too. It won't just be us at WGC who wish them all the very best.