Tara Murray
New Bacchus Marsh female cricket development coach Tomeka Fowlie is keen to give back to the club where she learned to play.
The Bulls announced Fowlie to take on the newly created role as they look to further grow and develop both coaches and players in all their female programs.
Fowlie said it was an exciting opportunity.
‘It is good and it’s going to be a challenge,” she said. “I think it’s good for the club and my development as a coach.
“I injured myself last year and I enjoyed the break from playing premier cricket as I had been playing cricket non-stop.
“My sister plays at Bacchus Marsh and I spent a lot of time here with the girls. I decided to come back originally just to play, but they needed a coach and here I am.
Fowlie came through the junior ranks at the Bulls before heading to play with Essendon Maribyrnong Park in Victorian Premier Cricket.
She was also a Central Highlands player of the series recipient and a former member of Cricket Victoria’s state emerging players squad.
From a coaching side of things, Fowlie has coached under-18 girls at the Bulls and been an assistant coach and then coach for the EMP in the Marg Jennings Cup, which features the best under-15 players in the state.
Fowlie said it was nice to come back to where she started her cricket.
“It’s my home club and they were a good support for me when I played premier cricket,” she said.
“I want to give back to them.”
The Lions finished runners up last season, making the Gisborne and District Cricket Association women’s grand final before falling short against cross-town rivals Darley.
Fowlie said they want to build on that this season. She said the group didn’t really have a coach last season.
“To even make the grand final without a coach was a good effort,” she said. “This year we have the same amount of players and with some more development we are hoping to win the grand final..
“If I can help with that, it would be amazing.”
Fowlie makes a new-look coaching step up for the Bulls.
Sam Crea has been named the new club coach, while James Dickinson has been appointed to assistant coach.
Both have played premier cricket and coached elsewhere.
The club held a meet the coaches night on Friday night.
