Last weekend was about so much for than just cricket as the entire Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association paid tribute to former friend, colleague and local sporting legend Heath Case.

The emotional fixture was rebranded as the Beyond Blue/Heath Case round in memory of the great man and the entire cricket community rallied behind the idea.

Before his tragic passing late last year, Case had left a tremendously positive impact on the Limestone Coast sporting scene through his numerous roles as a player, parent, administrator, umpire and supporter with cricket always close to his heart.

To celebrate his life and support his family and raise awareness for mental health, the cricket world responded magnificently.

Some players took to the pitch with an extra shade of blue, while more importantly played in the right spirit.

Scenes were particularly special at Heath’s home club Yahl, which played host to Glencoe for a B Grade Crouch Shield contest.

There was lots of emotion in the air as Heath’s sons Hamish and Robbie Case played arm in arm at their father’s club for the first time this season.

Both sides lined up in front of the famous pavilion and held a minute’s silence before commencing play on the same turf Heath once dominated.

The hosts batted first where the Case brothers both made double figures and spent some valuable time at the crease.

Although Glencoe won the match, the loudest cheer was heard from the Yahl side of the fence when Robbie Case picked up a well deserved wicket in the second innings.

A donation box was placed at each ground where patrons donated generously with the proceeds being evenly split between Heath’s family and Beyond Blue.

Even though donations were still being collected at the time of print, MGDCA vice president Shane Dycer said expectations were hit for six.

“When we embarked on this initiative, I was really hoping we could raise around the five-to-six-thousand-dollar mark and anything more than that would be an absolute bonus because these are hard times and peoples generosity is maybe not what it would normally be,” he said.

“But as of lunchtime Tuesday when we were still waiting on some teams to come in, we have already gone past the $10,000 mark and still counting, which is really pleasing.”

Dycer himself made another comeback from retirement and played in West Gambier’s B Grade team and he could feel the game carry extra significance on and off the pitch.

“The camaraderie between players, teams and officials was great because there was a one in, all in approach,” he said.

“The fact that one week after many games were called off due to wash outs and COVID, everyone managed to fill every game and grade was a real testament to Heath’s memory.

“We had lots of chats talking about Heath and shared a few memories and stories.

“Every club and captain have been fantastic and supported it really well.

“It was a big day raising lots of money, but the awareness of mental health and how we have to keep an eye on each other is the main thing.

“We must keep championing the cause because we have lost one more person than we should and if we can stop people from going over the edge, that is fantastic.”

Following on from the success of the inaugural Mental Health round, Dycer wants it becomes one of the biggest moments on the cricket calendar each summer much like how the Sydney Test match turns pink to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer.

“I just hope that it is something we can do every year,” he said.

“It has been a really good start and I have touched base with Heath’s family, and they were very appreciative of the cricket community.

“The second One-Day game after Christmas will always be Beyond Blue round in memory of Heath.

“I am sure the community would benefit out of what we are trying to do.”

Heath’s son Hamish Case has not only played for Yahl, but he has also represented the Roos on numerous occasions and West Gambier A Grade captain Richard Crute said it was an honour to be apart of the special round.

“It was a fantastic cause,” he said.

“Heath was quite well known around the club with Hamish and Robbie having played junior cricket and Hamish also recently playing the T20s for us.

“I had known Heath for a long time, and we have had many great battles when he was at Yahl and I was at South.

“He was just a fantastic bloke, so the unfortunate event shook the whole club and competition.

“A lot of people knew Heath, he was well liked and did a lot of things for cricket, so to go out represent him and Beyond Blue was special.

“The game was played in the right manner and everyone came away with a good feeling.”