Tara Murray
New St Anthonys coach Jason Orr is hoping a familiar face in charge will help get people back to the Gisborne and District Cricket Association club.
It’s been a tough few years for the Saints on and off the field, but with a new committee and new coach they are keen to turn things around.
Orr said he was excited for the new opportunity.
“I guess I’m probably not that young now, there won’t be too many opportunities to do it,” he said.
“The opportunity arose and I always wanted to do it, so I thought I would take it on this year.
“I’ve been captain, vice-captain and I’ve always helped out with the coaching and I coached juniors many years ago.
“I’ve had plenty of experience and this is probably as good a time as ever to do it.”
Orr joined the club back in 2014 from Bacchus Marsh and has been there ever since. He’s been part of premiership sides and seen the club rise to the top grade.
The last few seasons they have dropped back down grades. Last season the Saints finished eighth in the Jensen Shield.
Orr said they weren’t sure what grade they would be in this season, but said he was focused on making sure the club is there for a long time to come.
He said bringing the fun back was one of the main things he was looking to do.
“It is tough for St Anthonys and we go through a lot of players,” he said. “The kids go off to bigger clubs to play on turf.
“We have a relaxed and social vice and we want people to come and play cricket and enjoy themselves.
‘Hopefully with me being named coach we can get a few people back, and people can see we are on the right track.”
Orr said the new committee was also keen to turn things around. He said the group was full of passionate people happy to give up their time to see it succeed.
The club had put out a call to arms in the off season for new committee members.
“They want the best for the club going forward,” he said. “They want the club to be there for a long time.”
The Saints will start training this Sunday before the season kicking off in October.
