Laughs all way to bank for cricket fundraiser

Wairarapa cricket development co-ordinator Sam Curtis has hit on a novel idea to raise funds to boost the promotion of junior cricket in the region.

He has organised a comedy night at the Masterton Town Hall on Friday, September 21, the headline act in which will be one of this country's top comedians, Ben Hurley, probably best known for his appearances on TV3 hit show 7 Days.

And supporting Hurley will be another popular Kiwi comedian, Nick Rado, who has entertained crowds all over the world.

Curtis said the decision to bring Hurley and Rado to Masterton was made because he wanted to do something different from the usual fundraising ventures like quiz nights and raffles.

"It was a chance to get some of the big names in New Zealand comedy to Masterton and to have a good laugh while raising money ... what's better than that," he asked.

Profits from the comedy night will be used to provide extra coaching and equipment for junior players and Curtis is hopeful of a crowd of 300-plus.

In fact, he warns that if those numbers are reached he will deliver on a promise to open with his own comedy routine.

"A lot of people have called me a clown over the years so I might as well get up there and prove it!"

On a more serious note, Curtis admits to looking forward to the 2012-13 cricket season with some trepidation.

He has been appointed coach of the Wairarapa senior men's team and while he is taking over a side which earned themselves a Hawke Cup challenge last year, they will be missing several of their big names this season.

Greg Todd, Seth Rance, Dean van Deventer, Mark Childs, Matthew Stringfellow and Jamie Holmes will be unavailable and Curtis aims to restrict his own involvement to coaching.

"Obviously we are starting on the back foot with so many good players missing but we'll just have to develop plans which ensure we get the best out of what we have got," he said.

"It's a big task but if the enthusiasm and discipline is there we might surprise a few, attitude is going to be very important."

Tickets to the September 21 comedy night can be purchased through Sam Curtis (phone (021240-6685) or from Sports House on the corner of Jackson and Chapel Sts in Masterton.