Tara Murray
A favourite son has returned home and will take on the coaching role at Diggers Rest Bulla for the Gisborne and District Cricket Association season.
The Burras announced that Rhys Berry will coach the side this season, having spent last season with Melton in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.
Berry, the club’s all time leading wicket taker, has previously been captain-coach of the side, while also winning the competition’s Sullivan Medal as the competition’s best player.
Berry said it was nice to be back at the Burras.
“There’s nothing against Melton and I enjoyed my opportunity and I enjoyed that standard of cricket,” he said.
“The Burras are home. I’ve got a one-year-old and a five-year-old and this gives me the opportunity to spend more time at home.
“I’m back home to help the home club.”
Berry said his season at Melton was about seeing if he could still compete at that level, which he proved he could.
He said there were discussions about him captaining the side had he stayed at the club for the 2024-25 season.
Berry admits to missing the coaching and captaining side of things.
“I knew they [Diggers Rest Bulla] were looking for a coach and a few conversations started and one thing led to another,” he said.
“They struggled last season and it’s a bit like I’m starting from scratch. I’m looking forward to being back.”
The Burras failed to win a match last season in the McIntyre Cup and will drop to the Johnstone Shield this season.
Berry said this would be a bit of a reset.
“When I first took over as coach we were relegated to C-grade and won the premiership the first year and then won B-grade.
“They did a good job last year of getting games into the young blokes. There’s plenty of talent there.
“We need to just get back to winning.”
Berry said they will start training in August. The club will get to use the new facilities and nets that have now been finished.
“That’s the icing on the cake,” Berry said. “It’s all really exciting.”
