An abridged AFL season, no local football throughout the state and uncertainty around the viability of a meaningful cricket season had led many punters believing competitive sport in the region to be somewhat of a pipe dream for 2020.
Fast forward only a short period of time and as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews continues to share consistently lower numbers each day, the Rochester Cricket Club is ready to launch into the 2020/2021 Goulburn Murray Cricket season.
The club is aspiring to amend it6s grand final hiccup last season and once again build towards holding the premiership cup aloft in the long weekend in March.
As restrictions continue to ease, players will finally be able to use training facilities at Windridge Oval, as they hone their skills to compete in a season like no other.
Some restrictions will remain in place and the club has ensured all members are well informed and abiding by Cricket Victoria’s Community Cricket Return to Train and Play Plan.
Restrictions are based around training, outdoor matches, facility access and travel.
To ensure the plan is followed correctly, the club has nominated several COVID-19 safety officers who have all completed training, along with a number of return to play webinars provided by Cricket Victoria.
The club will again provide an opportunity for players aged 5-8 to attend Mini Blaster skills sessions, under 10’s to partake in the Master Blasters competition, under 12-16 players to compete within their age groups, a junior girls competition and senior A, B and C grade sides rounding out the club.
Although it has been a less than ideal preparation, A grade Captain Sean Williams has faith his club will be well placed when the first ball is sent down on Saturday, November 7.
“We are just so happy that we will be able to get out there and play a game we all love,” he said.
“It looked for a while there that cricket might not even get off the ground, so to have a start date to aim for is really exciting.”
Asked whether last year’s grand final result would be used as extra incentive for his players, the response was straight to the point.
“Absolutely. We got ourselves in a position to win it but didn’t capitalise,” Williams said.
“To be able to give our really young list a taste of finals pressure will only hold us in good stead going forward.”
And his message to his team of emerging champions was just as simple.
“We play cricket because we enjoy it, but I want these younger guys to learn how to win under pressure and to experience the emotion of winning grand finals like a couple of our older guys have,” Williams said.
While the club’s elder statesman will again provide guidance within the ranks, Williams identified a couple of his younger counterparts the club would look to take it into the future.
“Guys including Angus Martin, Charlie Ryan, Fraser Cleary and Waugh George all showed glimpses of what they are capable of, last season” Williams said.
“They will get every opportunity to build on those skills this year and we can’t wait to see them take that next step in their careers.”
While the fixture has not been finalised, Campaspe News understands games will be a combination of one-day and T20 formats, with the traditional two-day games to take a one-year hiatus.
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