In 2008 the first steps to establish Over 60’s Cricket in Queensland were taken when Lew Cooper, now QVC Patron and Kevin Finlay his NSW colleague hatched a plan to contest an annual Over 60’s Cricket Challenge.

As cricket tragics each of them mustered a team of over 60’s players and they met and played the first match at Tenterfield just over the border in Blues territory. It resulted in a resounding Qld victory and the Cooper Finlay Cup accompanied them back to Brisbane.

Since that time the competition for the Cooper Finlay Cup has been played annually (except for a few washed out years) and now includes players from age 40 to over 75 including a women’s team. The Cooper Finlay Cup is played alternatively in Queensland and NSW and has had up to 20 teams from each State playing at different levels. It brings together players in a competitive environment to test their skills, but also supports great social interaction around cricket.

Queensland Veterans Cricket has also been sending teams to the Nationals competitions each year. This includes multiple teams in each age group O40s, O50s, O55s, O60s, O65s, O70s and O75s. These competitions have been held right across Australia and New Zealand with our kiwi neighbours now entering teams into our Nationals competitions. Queensland teams have also travelled to New Zealand for bilateral competitions for specific age groups.

Queensland Veterans Cricket and its associated regions also host competitions throughout the year, inviting representatives from various States and Territories to join in and in other competitions, individual clubs or regions. This has supported the development of cricket across Queensland veterans, but also provides opportunities for interstate players to play cricket in the conducive Queensland winter.