There’s an aura of excitement at St Anthonys Cricket Club.
The pre-season has only just begun, but the Saints are already pumped for what’s ahead.
Co-coach Cameron Clayton said they had taken a different approach to training this season.
“We’ve averaging 30 players to training on a Tuesday night and 20 players on a Sunday.
“Some clubs are only getting 12 to 15 players a session and we were in that boat last season.
“We put the emphasise back on training and changing things up.”
Among those training over the past week are players from the club’s first ever women’s side.
The club will field a side in the CV Women’s Community Cricket this season.
Keen to ensure the side feels at home with the club, the women will train alongside the men’s teams. Clayton said it should help with the development of the players, many who haven’t played before.
“We had five turn up to the first training session which was more than expected,” he said.
“The girls were pretty excited to get amongst it. So far we have 13 or 14 girls interested, we need at least 15 for Cricket Victoria to accept us.”
On the men’s side of things, Clayton will coach the side for a second season, while Matt Perry has stepped up to help out with the coaching.
Clayton said they were looking at an improved result in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s B-grade competition. Last season they finished seventh.
“We’ve picked up a few players and training is really good. We want to try and push into McIntyre Cup the next couple of years.
“We learnt a hell of a lot last season … we had a few hiccups but we’re working to ensure they don’t happen again.”
Among the signings for the Saints are Justin Siedlecki and Nathan Dantonio.
Siedlecki comes to the Saints from Eynesbury where he was part of their premiership side. Dantonio played a mix of first and second XI cricket at sub-district club Melton.
Clayton said despite both players still being young, they would bring experience to the side.
“Nathan has added a lot of depth. We needed a spin bowler and top order batsman and that’s what we’ve got.
“You can’t buy the premiership experience Justin has and he’ll help provide support for Paul Scott who is the premier bastmen in our division.
“Both won’t be one-year players, they’ll be around for a number of years.”
Meanwhile the club has appointed Julie Burford as president. She’s the first female president of the Saints and she’s believed to be the second female president in the association.
“It was put to me if I wanted to be president,” she said. “I’ve been around the club helping a lot. I’ve been the best club person the last two years and they wanted to know if I was interested,” she said.
“It’s been a big learning curve, but the committee and players have made it easier.”
