By Tara Murray
New East Sunbury coach Ron Mannion has been around cricket for a long time.
Having played 150-odd games for Footscray in then premier cricket, Mannion turned his hand to coaching and club official.
He was one of the first people in Australia to become a level three coach and coached several clubs before stepping away from the sport in the 1990s.
But a story in the local paper a couple of years ago really stuck with him.
East Sunbury coach Jessy Carroll was battling cancer, and Mannion decided he wanted to help Jessy and the club.
“A couple of years ago I got involved when Jessy Carroll was sick,” Mannion said.
“I got in touch with them … and started giving them a hand.
“They were a little slow looking for a coach for this season. I was talking to [president] Mark [Wilkins] and said if you can’t get a coach, I better help out.
“I sort of got volunteered for the role.”
Mannion said the focus of the club would again be promoting youth through the ranks.
Their top side will play in the District Shield First Grade competition, which was the former B-grade competition.
The Thunder have added three players – Brandon Nicholls returns after playing at Lancefield last season; Josh Smith, another former Thunder player, comes across from Rupertswood; as does Luke Shoesmith.
The Thunder have lost Lachie Wilkins, who is headed to Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association club Coburg.
Mannion said they thought they had the right mix of experience and youth to make some inroads this season.
“We have a lot of young kids, it’s just about getting some coaching and game time into them,” he said.
“We’re trying to concentrate on those kids as they are the future of the club.”
He said one area they had really worked on was fielding.
As well as being a skilled cricketer, Mannion was a top baseballer and is using those skills to help the club.
“We will be a better fielding side,” he said.
“That was one area that let us down.”
The Thunder will field three teams this season and is after a few more players.
Having finished fifth last season, Mannion said they would be disappointed if they didn’t make the top four this year.
“They are working really hard and they are having fun along the way.
“Hopefully they’ll improve.”
The club’s facilities and the ground is also being updated in a big boost for the club.
The Thunder kick off their season on Saturday in a one-dayer against Eynesbury Eagles.
In other first round matches, Bacchus Marsh hosts Rupertswood, Gisborne plays Riddell and St Anthonys takes on Ashfield.
Anyone interested playing at the Thunder can contact the club.
