The Canterbury Cricket Association acknowledges the passing of Derek Cockburn who passed away on Monday the 6th of May 2024 at the age of 87.

Derek had a long and valued connection with the game in our region. He was the current Patron and a Life Member of the CJCA and joined the Executive of Canterbury Cricket Association JAB in 1969/70. Derek attended every South Island Primary Tournament from 1963 to his last in 2020 in Westport. Dereks passion for Junior Cricket and its worth in both a sporting and social context was without peer and his involvement at grassroots level in the activities of the now CJCA was pivotal to the development of way the game was played at a junior level and the growth of the Association from 43 teams in 1969 to 272 by 1997.

Dereks humour and ability to think outside the square when it came to developments in the game were of extreme value to challenge the conventional mindset of traditionalists when needed whilst still deeply respecting the heritage and history of the game.

Dereks funeral will be held on Wednesday the 15th of May 2024 at St Barnabas Church, 8 Tui Street, Fendalton, Christchurch commencing at 1pm.