ATC Williams (ATCW) has a long history of supporting community and grassroots initiatives. Our staff ownership business model allows us to recognise not-for-profit organisations with meaningful connections for our people outside their day-to-day work.
One of these is Heathwood Cricket Club, where Craig Noske, Southern Regional Manager and Senior Principal, is a long-time member. Craig joined ATCW in 1994, and in those thirty years, his engineering journey has been a successful innings that parallels his love of cricket.
The social impact of grassroots giving
Heathwood CC is based in leafy Heathmont in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Founded in 1976, the club offers a supportive environment for people to enjoy community cricket. They provide a junior program from Cricket Blast to u10s-u16s and have four senior teams in the Ringwood District competition.
ATCW initially provided two years of mid-tier club sponsorship before committing to a three-year Diamond package in 2023. This support will see the club through to its milestone 50-year half-century celebrations in 2026.
“Our players are thankful for the new season shirts we have due to ATCW’s sponsorship commitment. I see that ATCW and the Heathwood Lions share similar values of encouraging community spirit and providing sustainable pathways for inspiring talent”, says Club President Ravish Chari.
“Our families can start their junior cricket journey at Heathwood, and with the right coaching, these kids can potentially go on to play Senior Cricket for the club and continue onto elite pathways.”
Fostering a legacy on and off the field
Craig recently retired from playing and coaching, but since 2016, he has been an under-16 Assistant Coach Captain and Vice-Captain for Heathwood’s 2nd XI (senior reserves team) and held a leadership role assisting the club’s younger players transition into premier cricket. He also contributed to four premiership wins with the 2nd XI team. In 2023, he took on a committee role as the Seniors Vice-President, nurturing four teams to grow, develop and enjoy their cricket.
Craig’s sons, Sam and Ben, are also keen cricketers and have represented the club’s 1st XI side. “The club’s relaxed and inclusive ethos has had a huge influence on my boy’s character and friendships,” says Craig. “As well as becoming valuable contributors from a cricketing perspective, they have taken roles on the committee alongside their mates to give back to the club and the new generation of kids.”
Raising the bat for the next generation
In 2023, the club’s future seemed uncertain. Several long-term members retired, and reduced levels of council funding impacted community clubs in the area. However, the cricket club rallied and created an enticing sponsorship package of on-ground and online signage plus logo placement on player’s shirts club-wide. ATC Williams became one of three Diamond sponsors that helped the club to transition through this changing of the guard period.
Ravish is grateful, “Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors like ATC Williams, in the 2023/24 season, we celebrated a minor premiership for Craig’s second XI’s, and the under-14s team won the junior competition.”
“In the 2024/25 season, we aim to upgrade our centre wicket pitch and hold a Ladies Day social fundraiser, similar to the Pink Stumps Day for breast cancer research. Qualifying for finals and adding more premiership flags to our tally is this season’s on-field goal”, he says.
“Playing in two winning premiership teams alongside both my boys has been a fantastic and memorable experience we will share forever. I appreciate that ATCW recognises and supports the value of family relationships and community outside of work”, says Craig.
To learn more, visit https://www.heathwood.cc/
