Tara Murray
Sydenham-Hillside has locked in a panel that will guide it even further in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
Having announced Tallan Wright as head cricket and the signing of two other players, the Storm announced the rest of the coaching group.
Deakyn McIntyre has been named cricket manager, while Anthony Alleyne will continue on as technical director.
Ishan Peiris will be an assistant coach, specialising on specific areas of cricket skills development, such as batting, bowling, fielding, or wicketkeeping.
All three will continue to be key players in the Storm first XI as well,
Storm president Bob Kunesevic said while it was something different it was what they thought best after their review at the end of the season.
He said he knew that coach Warren Hackney was looking to take a step back which gave them time to start preparing for the future.
”We looked at what was working,” he said. “We had seven senior men’s teams and two senior women’s teams.
“As far as the men’s program, we wanted to cover all bases and have the right people in those positions without impacting the culture that we already have.”
Kunesevic said they wanted to look to use the skills of the people they already have in the club.
Peiris now holds a level two coaching certificate and Alleyne has held his role since he joined the club.
McIntyre was an assistant coach last season shadowing Hackney.
“He has a bit of experience at the club and he has his own plans which are really impressive,” Kunesevic said.
Wright joins the club from Aberfeldie where he was captain-coach. He also has premier cricket experience.
On top of settling the coaching panel, the Storm has announced three new player signings, including Wright.
Cam West also crosses from Aberfeldie, while Sanka Ramesh crosses from Hoppers Crossing.
Kunesevic said they still have room to move with player points if there was someone that came available that suits their needs. The club made the grand final in its first season in senior division and are hoping to build on that.
He said Adrian Neill is the only player who isn’t going to return.
“One of our big issues was depth,” he said. “ We had a couple of boys fall over in the last round with injuries.
“We still managed to make the grand final.”
