New Bacchus Marsh women’s coach Scott Whiteway is keen on helping the playing group develop even further in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association this season.
Whiteway steps into the coaching role at the reigning premiers, with premiership coach Tomeka Fowlie returning to Victorian Premier Cricket.
Whiteway has long been involved with the Bulls and female cricket in the region.
The Bulls said Whiteway’s drive for participation and eagerness to promote improvement within a positive environment sees him as the perfect fit for the role.
“It is really exciting,” Whiteway said.
“I’ve been involved with the team the last couple of seasons as the club’s female coaching coordinator.
“I have coached junior girls cricket both at the club and at GDCA level. I enjoy it, but I didn’t necessarily see myself coaching women at Bacchus Marsh.
“It’s not something I set out to do, but it is exciting.”
Whiteway said the departure of Fowlie was a big one not just from a coaching perspective, but a playing one.
He said they would look to fill her role with a number of players, not just one particular player.
“One of the areas we will look to improve is to lighten the load on some of the more dominant players,” he said.
“We’ve got a good mix of competitive cricketers and social cricketers. We need to make sure that everyone gets what they want.
“Whether they are new to cricket or looking for more development. That is where we want to improve.”
The Bulls claimed their first premiership last season, after making the grand final the season before. They were clearly the best side last season.
Whiteway said the group still had plenty of motivation coming into the upcoming season.
“The girls are really keen to win a premiership on the day,” he said. “They felt a bit robbed of the experience with it getting washed out.
“We didn’t get to bowl a ball in the grand final. They saw what the men’s team got to experience last season, that thrill of winning on the day.
“They want to experience that feeling this year, it’s the driver for this season.”
Whiteway said they were hoping to attract some new players to the side and continued to provide a pathway for all cricketers.
Meanwhile, the Bulls have announced that Sam Crea will continue on as coach of the men’s side.
The side won its first Ballarat Cricket Association last season.
