Stephen Ward was appointed a Life Member of Northern Territory Cricket at the 2023 Annual General Meeting, recognising his sustained contribution over 35 years of dedicated service to cricket in the Northern Territory.
Stephen Ward Awarded Life Membership of NTC
Stephen Ward has served the sport of cricket in the NT as a Club Administrator and President, Volunteer, Match Official, Board Director, Public Officer and NT Cricket Director.
Stephen arrived in Darwin in December 1977 following a cricket career in rural Victoria. In 1978 Stephen joined Wanderers (Darwin Cricket Club), before moving to Nightcliff in 1982 and then helping establish the Palmerston Cricket Club (PCC) in 1986. Stephen served on the committee at Palmerston including a period as Vice President in 1991 and 1993, before becoming President in 1992 during which time he contributed to the building of the club house at Woodroffe Oval. Stephen would later coach Palmerston Under 15’s in 2007.
Stephen commenced helping out with Darwin and Districts Cricket Disciplinary Tribunal in 1994 and became Chairman of the Tribunal in 2000. Concurrently he was a member of the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct Commission until it was restructured. His role in Darwin cricket was rebadged as Chief Code of Conduct Commissioner, a role he served in until October 2018.
Over his years of service Stephen has been awarded the Margaret Coady Award (2001), was appointed Code of Conduct Commissioner for the State Institute Challenge in Darwin (2004), was appointed Match Referee for the Rose Bowl Series between the Australian and New Zealand Women’s Teams (2007), and acted as the Duckworth Lewis Manager for the One day International Series between Australia and Bangladesh (2008).
Stephen briefly joined the NT Umpires Association in 2014 and had previously umpired at the Imparja cup in 2012.
Stephen was elected as a Director of the Northern Territory Cricket Association Inc in 2006 and remained a Director until October 2018. During his time as a Director he also held the position of Public Officer of the Association.
Stephen is the seventh Life Member of Northern Territory Cricket joining Ralph Wiese, Jim Ford OAM, Dr Bruce Walker AM, John Marshall, Ian Butterworth and Chris Young.