BLING is normally associated with American NFL champions, or at least National Rugby League premiers.
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But Newcastle District Cricket premiers Toronto Workers have commissioned a jeweller to custom-make premiership rings for the club's first grade team.
The players received their rings at a presentation at Toronto Workers Club recently.
The cricket club's outgoing president Aaron Gray said it was now three months since the Kookaburras won their maiden first-grade title, against Hamilton-Wickham, but the players were still on a high.
"The joy and emotion is still vibrant and you can tell it means a lot to the players and the club," Gray said.
"Marino Lea was the orchestrator of the rings, by getting a jeweller to custom make these for us."
Gray addressed the players to reiterate what an achievement it was for the club to win the first grade premiership in its 60th anniversary season.
"We've won 23 lower grade premierships over the years and six club championships but never had we got the big one," he said.
"I talked about how proud everyone should feel and that I felt very proud to be not only the president but also a player, which was very unexpected at the start of the year. I was expecting to be mentoring our young second grade captain who we appointed last winter."
A ring was also presented to the club's scorer Grahame Jenkinson.
"Grahame was there on the night. He brings up his 40th season as first grade scorer this season. No one has ever achieved 40 years on the book in Newcastle [District Cricket Association] history," Gray said.
So how will Toronto Workers be able to back up in the coming seasons after being on such an emotional high?
"The club will continue to be a strong club when measured against the rest of the competition," Gray said.
"We've led the way for a long time as an all-ages model which is not common in the competition, and we've pioneered girls cricket."
Gray said he was leaving the club in good shape.
"There are some changes on the committee, but a lot of passion.
"A new president brings about new opportunities," he said.
"We have a great working relationship with Tim Cox from Cricket NSW, and he is doing great things for the district to invigorate cricket and keep growing the game."
