Harry's World of Cricket
WORK EXPERIENCE BOYS INTERVIEW HARRY
"Captain of the Team" - Harry Solomons & Members of the England Team with other Cricket Legends
In support of Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff & The Shane Warne Foundation - 13th November 2006
Back row from left - Ian Healy (Aus), Andrew Strauss, Monty Panesar, Sajid Mahmood, Greg Matthews (Aust), Paul Collingwood, James Anderson, Alistair Cook, Bob Simpson (Aus)
Front row - Neil Harvey (Aus), Richie Benaud (Aus), Brett Lee (Aus), Harry Solomons (Captain), Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard
Harry Solomons - The Story So Far...
This is the story of Harry Solomons. Managing Director of Kingsgrove Sports Centre. There aren't too many cricket loving folks who haven't heard of him but, can we say we've heard his story. It is a very interesting one and this page is dedicated to the telling of the various stages of life that brings Harry to the position he holds in the world of cricket today.
First of all, lets delve into the current frame of mind that sits atop the man that is Harry Solomons.
This interview was done in April, 2000.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS :
Besides creating Kingsgrove Sports Centre, it has to be the recognition and credibility I have received in Australia, and of course in the industry worldwide. Hard work, considering it was achieved in an industry that is the "national sport" of Australia, and against competitors who are Australian born. Honesty and endeavouring to do the right thing by everyone, besides hard work was the key !
WHEN AND WHY DID YOU EMIGRATE TO AUSTRALIA :
We came to Australia in 1973, because my brothers had moved here prior to my decision to emigrate. The reason why we left is that Sri Lanka was 'stuffed up' so badly during that era, I could not even buy milk or clothes to keep 'Hamish' going. He had just been born. "Now, I wish I'd kept him there" !!!
GREATEST CRICKETING ACHIEVEMENTS :
Hard to choose between the following -
A) Sri Lankan Schoolboys Vs England Schoolboys (I was 16 years old)
B) Open South Zone Sri Lankan side Vs two Indian State touring teams, which included many Indian Test players (I was 17 and still a school boy)
C) Sri Lankan Minor club record of 173 runs with 17 sixes and 3 fours and then followed it up by taking 6 wickets.
FAVOURITE SPORTSMAN / WOMEN :
A) Don Bradman - his performances were awesome, his humility unbelievable and his ability to be talked about and to make money for others even 50 years later is mind boggling.
B) Heather McKay (Squash) - 17 all England Championships or so in a row (Basically 17 times a World Champion in a row).
C) Michael Doohan (Motorcycling) - We all know how good he was. FAVOURITE FOOD : I enjoy all types of food. Thai food is lovely and so is Sri Lankan, Italian and Indian. Nothing wrong with a good Aussie baked dinner and you can't beat a good Bacon and egg breakfast ! I love quality wines and a Gin, Lemon and Lime with a dash of bitters to relax after a hards days work. A good "beer on tap" in a pub is hard to beat when I am with friends.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED :
I would like to be remembered as the pioneer of the modern cricket industry (I mean the truly 'specialist' bigger cricket stores) and the man that created the famous Kingsgrove Sports Centre specialist cricket shops. I know Hamish would agree, but I'd like to be remembered as a good father to Sabeena-Caitlin (3) and her sister on the way. The experiences with Hamish will, no doubt, help! I'd like to think I've passed down my experience to a few more people other than Hamish, Heath, Wilston, Janine, Jody, Dean, David, Stuart and of course, Rohini.
WHAT TURNS YOU OFF :
I can not stand louts and loutish behaviour. I hate the destruction of public property. I don't like standover people who prey on quieter and defenceless people....especially women. On a less serious note, 'badly drunken' and silly women in public places, especially if she is loud, boisterous and smoking.
WHAT TURNS YOU ON :
A) good movie
B) Nice dinner with friends and good wine
C) A good cricket match on T.V. and especially
D) Quality time with Sabeena-Caitlin. I quite like travelling too. Overseas or within Australia - something I wish I had more time to do.
FAVOURITE MUSIC :
Absolutely and positively Country, Country Rock. Older classics by the likes of Elvis, Marty Robbins and Ray Charles etc. FAVOURITE MOVIES : The likes of "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest", "Dances With Wolves", "Silence Of The Lambs" and "Fatal Attraction". Anything with Jodie Foster and Sharon Stone.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS :
Besides making Kingsgrove Sports Centre bigger I want to
A) write at least 3 books. I have the ideas, just not the time.
B) I want to travel and see as much of Australia for a year.
C) I want to set up a classic cricket museum preferably where I choose to retire. I have no doubt that I could make this Museum more interesting than the Bradman museum in Bowral.
