By Tara Murray
Diggers Rest Bulla Cricket Club doesn’t just want to make up numbers for its foray back into Gisborne District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup.
Last season’s B-grade premiers have stepped up the hunt for new players to add to the premiership squad, and are also on the hunt for a new coach.
Burras’ president Sean Fitzpatrick said Rhys Berry had stepped down from the role, despite winning two premierships from three grand final appearances in the past three seasons.
“He [Rhys] is pretty selfless and said, if you can find someone more qualified, I’m willing to step down.
“He will help out assisting and be assistant coach. He is happy to do what we need him to. There is a chance he could still coach the side. The worry is, if you go down a different path, you could lose players, but that’s not the
case [here].”
Berry, the side’s star bowler, will still play for Diggers Rest Bulla. “He is a very good player, who we can not afford to lose.”
Fitzpatrick said the club had spoken to some people about taking on the coaching role.
“We’ve had a couple of interviews but nothing is set in stone. We are after a playing coach, who needs to be a quality player up to McIntyre standard.
“He needs to be a total club coach, not just someone who focuses on the senior guys. We are looking at developing our youngsters.”
Fitzpatrick said there would be some personnel changes in the senior side.
Shannon O’Keefe has retired, while a couple of players living in the Castlemaine area, including Rhys’s brother Warren, aren’t sure they will return.
“We are still trying to talk them into playing, even in a part-time role. We need batsmen, another bowler and a wicketkeeper to compete in McIntyre. We are also looking for some depth for our seconds and thirds.”
The club said it was hopeful of fielding three junior sides and get Milo [have a go] cricket running again.
Meanwhile, Woodend is still on the hunt for a coach.
The club is looking for a replacement after Adam Johnstone stood down due to other commitments.
B-grade club Rupertswood is expected to appoint its coach in the next few weeks.
For details about the Digger Rest Bulla coaching vacancy, email: kaderichards@hotmail.com
