Welcome to the third edition of Tah Talk with Joel Foster for the 2026/27 season.
This week, Joel recognises the fantastic work of our Women’s Club Captains and looks at Alfie Gatehouse’s impressive start to the summer.
A big thank you once again to Scott MacNeill and the team at Gibson MacNeill Lawyers for their partnership with this season. If you have any legal needs, no matter the size, visit them at www.gibsonmacneill.com.au
Sienna and Grace bring everyone together
There is a lot to like about what Sienna James and Grace Pike are doing as our Women’s Club Captains.
They have embraced their roles and are doing a fantastic job connecting the playing group. Having players across the grades feel part of one club is so important, and Sienna and Grace are helping create exactly that kind of culture.
Club captaincy comes with plenty of work that doesn’t show up on a scorecard. Bringing people together, making everyone feel included and getting players involved all make a difference to how a club feels.
We saw a great example of that on Sunday when the girls ran the National Breast Cancer Foundation event at the Room at the Top.
It was a fabulous event, raising more than $3,500 for the NBCF. That is a terrific result and something everyone involved should be proud of.
A big thank you goes to our speakers Karen Wilson, Sally Heys, partner of club favourite Jack Ritchie, and nurse Kelly Lee. Their contributions were a significant part of what made the afternoon so special, and we appreciate them giving their time to support the event.
Thank you also to everyone who attended, donated or helped out. These afternoons take plenty of organisation, and Sienna and Grace deserve enormous credit for bringing it all together.
What impresses me most is that their influence extends well beyond one event. They are building connections across our women’s program and giving the playing group reasons to come together away from cricket.
That is how a strong club culture grows. We’re fortunate to have them both leading the way.
Gatehouse finding his gear
Alfie Gatehouse has started the season strongly, and his match-winning 62 for Men’s 3rd Grade on Saturday was a really encouraging sign of what could be ahead.
There is a feeling that 2026/27 could be a breakout season for Alfie. The work he put in last summer, followed by his time playing in the UK during our winter at Hopton Mills Cricket Club, looks to be coming together.
Saturday’s innings had plenty to like about it.
He played proper cricket shots and stayed patient. He looked comfortable at the crease, used his feet well against spin and punished the bad bowling when the opportunities came.
That balance is important. You want a batter who can absorb a bit of pressure without getting stuck, then make sure the bowlers pay when they miss. Alfie showed that beautifully.
He has a calmness at the crease that gives you confidence. There was no need to force the innings along. He trusted his game and gave himself the chance to make a contribution that won the match.
In the field, he can occasionally look like he’s visiting a different planet. At the crease, thankfully, he seems very comfortable on this one.
He’s a rare human, our Alfie, and a character you enjoy having around the club.
But there is a serious cricketer there too. The patience, composure and ability to score against different types of bowling are all hallmarks of someone with the potential to play 1st Grade for Manly Warringah.
The next challenge is to keep producing those innings. A strong start gives you confidence, and backing it up week after week is how you push your case for the next opportunity.
There is plenty to be excited about. Well played, Alfie.
Young Tahs take the next step
One of the most exciting things about the start of our women’s season has been seeing Keira Terrey, Yuhansa Jayakody and Matilda Brown get their opportunity in Women’s 1st Grade.
Yuhansa and Matilda have now made their debuts, while Keira has added to her first taste of the top grade after playing one match last season.
It’s a big moment for each of them, and a really positive sign for the future of our women’s program.
There is only so much you can learn watching from the sidelines. Getting out there, facing stronger opposition and playing alongside experienced teammates gives young players a much better understanding of what the next level requires.
They get to experience the pace of the game, the pressure of different situations and the standards needed to compete. Those lessons are valuable, even when they don’t immediately show up in runs or wickets.
For these girls, the opportunity is to learn, contribute and start feeling comfortable at that level. Every game gives them something to take back to training and build on.
It’s exciting for the club too. Seeing youngsters progress into 1st Grade gives the players coming through behind them something to aim for. They can see that opportunities are there.
Congratulations to Keira, Yuhansa and Matilda. Hopefully these early appearances are the beginning of long and successful careers in Manly Warringah colours.
Go Manly!
