The Cobra strikes back

With a strong passion for cricket, Summerfield, now at 49 years of age, was recently recognised for being an outstanding volunteer at the 2012 Kookaburra Volunteers Recognition Breakfast.

For the past 36 years, Summerfield, otherwise known as ‘Cobra’, has called the Korumburra Cricket Club home, contributing both on and off the field.

Having played cricket from a young age, Summerfield was challenged when he suffered an injury to the C4-5 section of the spinal cord, confining him to a wheelchair.

 “I did miss (playing cricket) a lot,” Summerfield said.

“It was hard to watch, especially when the team wasn’t doing so well.”

However, with a strong passion for cricket, he decided that he still wanted to be involved and took on a volunteer role within the club.

“Cricket is like my second family,” Summerfield said.

“I always wanted to stay involved.”

Since the accident, he has undertaken a variety of roles at the club, including being president for nine years, junior coordinator, MILO in2CRICKET coordinator and most recently the role of secretary.

Having also improved facilities by finding grants and leading facilities projects, Summerfield now turns his attention to having a turf wicket installed at Korumburra’s home ground.

When reflecting on his life-changing moment, Summerfield continues to focus on the positive and notes that cricket has always been a constant in his life.

“I went from being active and playing cricket to not being able to do anything.,” Summerfield said.

“But, you have to look at the things that you can do, not what you can’t do.”