Micky Peacock Medal: Top award unveiled in memory of young Hawke’s Bay cricketer

A top award has been announced in memory of Micky Peacock (pictured). Photo / Whanganui Collegiate

A new award has been unveiled in memory of a young Hawke’s Bay cricketer who died after a battle with brain cancer.

Central Districts Cricket will present the Micky Peacock Medal for the first time on Tuesday.

It will be awarded to the most valuable player (MVP) at the CD Cricket First XI Boys’ Cup Finals in Levin.

Micky left an indelible mark on the cricket community before he passed away from brain cancer at just 17, in September 2024, at his family home in Waipukurau.

He had himself been awarded the tournament MVP trophy at NZ Cricket’s National Primary School Cup Finals in 2019, playing for Havelock North’s Hereworth School.

Micky went on to represent Whanganui Collegiate School, captaining the cricket First XI as well as playing rugby and hockey for the school.

Aidan O’Connor, CD Cricket manager, community and capability, said Micky was an exceptional person.

“We have received the blessing of Micky’s family, Marcus, Georgie, Hana and Jimmy, to bestow this fitting honour upon him and have his name adorn our MVP medal.”

His father, Marcus, will present the inaugural medal on Tuesday.

His mother, Georgie, said the family was overwhelmed by the honour.

“Micky was a natural leader and player who always thought of others and how he could bring out their best, while going about doing his best for them,” she said.

“He had a quiet strength, always encouraged others and embodied the spirit of the game – and his teammates loved that about him, as did we."

Cricket had been Micky’s number one sport from a young age.

“He loved playing, he loved watching it, talking about it, thinking about it – it was his passion.

“Marcus and I know he would be very proud, in his humble manner, of this honour in his memory, and we are so proud of him as a family.”

Micky was also a passionate Warriors fan, and the NRL club named one of their training grounds after him in 2024.

Whanganui Collegiate, Palmerston North Boys’ High School, Nelson College and Lindisfarne College are all competing in the two-day cricket tournament in Levin, with the winning side earning a spot at next summer’s national First XI Boys’ Cup Finals in Lincoln.

After the CD Cricket First XI Boys’ Cup, it’s the turn of the region’s top secondary schoolgirl cricketers to shine in the QBE First XI Cup that starts on Wednesday, also at Levin’s Donnelly Park.