Oliver Lees
Despite lockdown restrictions interrupting community sport over the past two seasons, cricket in Gisborne continues to grow.
As the club awaits confirmation on the start date of the upcoming Gisborne and District Cricket Association season, Gisborne senior coach Gav Mackay said his club is expecting to add additional teams across juniors and seniors.
“We’re lucky being a one club town, and the club keeps growing,” Mackay said.
“Compare it to other towns by population and we’re batting above our weight.
“We’ve always wanted to be the most welcoming club we can. If people turn up, we make sure they’re not ignored. We go out of our way to hold social events when we can so people have a reason to come upstairs and have a chat. “
Mackay said last season Gisborne was named the biggest club in regional Victoria and the 10th biggest across the entire state based on its registration numbers.
Gisborne ended last season in fourth place in the McIntyre Cup, ultimately losing to Bacchus Marsh in the semi final.
The top flight McIntyre Cup will welcome three additional sides from the Johnstone Shield this season, with Rupertswood, Sunbury Kangaroos and Wallan all to be promoted.
The top division will play a mixture of two-day and one-day matches while the lower divisions will play an entire season of one-day matches.
“We’ve held on to the bulk of our players and we’re focused on bringing our young kids through,” Mackay said.
“We’re trying to be extremely positive [about the season], but it’s difficult with half the clubs being in the metro and half in the country.”
Speaking before the weekend, GDCA president Rob McIntyre told Star Weekly the league was still awaiting confirmation from Cricket Victoria as to when the season could begin.
