Many will know the parable of the talents. A master decided to go on a journey and called his servants for a briefing. He gave them some money in the form of Talents. This was measured in the weight of precious metal like silver. To the first he gave 5 talents, which equates to about £3000 in today’s money. To the second he gave 2 talents and the third one talent. The first two invested the money and doubled it. The third buried his.
On his return the master asked his servants what they had done with the money they had been given. The first two explained that they had doubled theirs but the third servant said that he was scared of his master and did not want to lose it so he buried it.
The master was very pleased with the first two and duly rewarded them. He took the talent off the third servant and gave it to the other two and punished him for his laziness and lack of ambition.

For many this parable has a timeless lesson. The monetary ‘talent’ equates conveniently with the meaning of talent as we know it today – ‘special outstanding ability – gifted’. Having talent is first and foremost a gift. This gift can be nurtured and used well and can take individuals on to bigger and better things. This can occur in all walks of life. There is nothing more satisfying in my mind than to see someone making the most of their talents. Conversely there is nothing more frustrating than to see someone doing nothing with the talents they have been given and I believe everyone has a ‘gift’ of some kind.

I have taught for 35 years and coached cricket, football and rugby. I have had the pleasure to watch young people with outstanding ability academically and in sport and noted their meteoric rise as they have made full use of the talents they have been given. They also appreciate the talents of others and learn from them to improve themselves and are quick to praise and reward the achievements of their peers and mentors.

I have also been enormously frustrated by young people who have done nothing with the talents they have been born with either because they have no one to recognise these in them or they can not see it for themselves. They get caught up in a ‘can’t do’ culture and plod along bemoaning the world around them. As they do not succeed themselves they can not bring themselves to appreciate the abilities and success of others. Their downward spiral of negativity leads to lack of ambition and all that brings.

Rawdon Cricket Club can boast numerous role models in many areas. The coaches give selflessly of their time to enhance the skills of the youngsters and their success has manifested itself in the progress of the juniors and the success they have on the field of play.

The club has many very talented cricketers who make the most of what they have. This is noticeable in all three senior teams and recognised at the October Dinner Dance and prize giving. Prizes are often awarded for excellent skills on the field but also in recognition of the ‘wider’ work that individuals do to promote the game and enhance the well-being and skills of others. We all look forward to seeing our junior and senior players display these talents and abilities throughout the forthcoming season.

We also have many talented selfless individuals who give of their time on the management committee. On this occasion I would like to highlight the work of one individual who has made a significant contribution to the growing success of the club – Ray Saunders. Ray is retiring from his role as treasurer this year after years of unbroken, loyal service. His love of the club is no secret and he has shown this in his loyal service.

I am constantly bemused by Ray’s financial reports every month in the committee meetings. My degrees in Swahili and quantum physics do not seem to help me in deciphering his’ ingoing’ and ‘outgoing’ columns. I nod my head knowingly when he says, “…and as you can see the….” I look hard but don’t seem to be able to see. There is a secret Ray Saunders Da- Vinci code in the numbers that jump out at me and I have not got passed my two times table in deciphering it. I continue to nod in what I deem to be the most appropriate places just like I used to do in France when faced by a vociferous local. All I know is that I trust Ray implicitly and know that he has continued to ply his talents for the benefit of the club. We have steadily grown in security from a hand to mouth existence to one where we can think of making necessary ongoing improvements to the club. His management of the finances has been second to none. At times he has made Silas Marner look like Rockafella and we have had to tighten our belts whilst we paid off loans and improved the financial well-being of the club. Ray has overseen great improvements in the clubs infrastructure without selling our financial soul to the devil and leaves a legacy that all at Rawdon Cricket club can be thankful for. 

I can think of no better way to conclude than to quote the master in the Parable of the Talents.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

David Chapman

President.

March 2009

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