But to collect it while skippering Toronto, a club the late great Robert “Dutchy” Holland introduced him to, makes it even more special.    

In his second full season back at the Kookaburras, Chad along with Wallsend captain Nathan Price were named on Wednesday joint winners of the prestigious Newcastle District Cricket Association first-grade player-of-the-year award.

Both finished on 17 points, three ahead of University’s Matt Gawthrop (14), despite going into this month’s last round tied. Chad and Price managed to produce man-of-the-match performances.   

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a goal when I got back from Adelaide. To make the rep team, try and push for further honours and to win the player of the year was also right up there,” the all-rounder said.

“Especially when you look at the other guys who have won it, like Dutchy. He was one of the influencing factors that got me to the club.

“I met with him, Paul Toole and Michael Hancock, who was the skipper that year, and I was bowling leg-spin back then [around 2006-2007].” 

Former Test leg-spinner Holland passed away aged 70 in Spetember. Chad and his clubmates have worn black armbands this summer to honour the Toronto life member.

Chad, 31, scored 523 runs at an average of 40.23 and took 35 wickets with his medium pacers at 14.34 apiece. 

Fellow all-rounder Price led the way with 760 runs at 63.33 and clinched 29 wickets at 18.38.

“Pricey was the year above me, but we played a lot of juniors against each other and a few seasons together at Wallsend,” Chad said.

“He’s a good player to share it with if you’ve got to share it with someone. He’s a class player.”

Mark Cameron (Merewether) and Callum Jackson (Charlestown) were the last pair to split the honours in 2013-2014. 

The district’s other major awards were also revealed in a low-key affair at No.1 Sportsground on Wednesday with the best first-grade averages going to Hamwicks’ Matt Webber (400 runs at 67) and Charlestown’s Saliya Saman (26 wickets at 11).

Merewether wicketkeeper Pat Huolohan claimed the most dismissals with 32.

Wests all-rounder Joseph Price was named representative player of the year, two months after earning an Australian Country cap. 

Charlestown all-rounder Glen Winsor received the Warren Tenant Scholarship following his selection in the Australian under-17 squad for the national under-19 championships.

City opening bowler Angus McTaggert picked up the junior title having represented Newcastle’s Bradman Cup side and NSW under 15s. 

The NDCA silverware is set to be handed out at club presentations over the coming weeks.

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