Tara Murray
Melton has locked in its coaching group for the next Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association season.
Mitch Stephens returns as coach for a second season after a successful first year in the job, with the club going from not winning a match to just missing out on finals.
Stephens was originally set to be an assistant coach in his first season back at the club from Victorian Premier Cricket, but weeks out from the season he stepped up into the head role after Sri Lankan Tharaka Gunaratna struggled to get approval to come to Australia to coach the club.
“The Melton Cricket Club is extremely happy to announce the re-appointment of Mitch Stephens for the upcoming season,” the club said on social media on Thursday.
“Mitch had a fantastic first year at the helm leading our first XI to seven wins just missing the six and also our third, fourth and fifth Xls to finals.”
Joel Mitchener has also re-committed and will move into a development coach role focusing on the Lions Academy and their J.G Craig Shield squad.
Damien Costigan joins the club and will support Stephens as a senior assistant coach.
“Damien is passionate in continuing to develop the junior program whilst also stepping up to assist Mitch with the senior group,” the club said.
“Damo is back at the club after developing his skills as an assistant coach and captain at Keilor CC.”
