Jessy Carroll is determined to continue the work he started as East Sunbury’s senior cricket coach – before his battle with cancer.
Carroll, who was appointed coach of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association side last year, had to step back in the second half of the season while battling stage four non-Hodgkin’s B-cell lymphoma.
Earlier this year, he was given just four weeks to live.
But support from the local community allowed Carroll to afford a drug which has had success in treating melanoma. After just two treatments Carroll’s scans showed he was in remission.
With his health under control, Carroll wants to focus on helping the East Sunbury B-grade side return to finals and get back to the form that earned him a reputation as one of the competition’s best all-rounders.
“It’s good they’ve [East Sunbury] shown some faith in me,” he said.
“The guys who run the club said it’s a two-year deal, and you’ve only really done half a season.
“I laid down the platform and the boys who took over continued doing what I started.
“Hopefully, this year is a lot smoother.”
Carroll said there had been a lot of positive signs in the season just gone, which the club had seen as a time to build.
“We only had five wins but I don’t think it was a reflection of our season,” he said.
“We knocked the premiers [Lancefield] off twice, and quite comfortably.
“It takes time to gel together. We’re growing together on and off the field.”
Finals are on the agenda next season, and Carroll is determined to lead the club to long-term success. He said they want to add a couple of players in the 28 to 30 age-bracket, players who have experience at a higher level.
“Liam [Sherlock] and I did a lot of work getting players back to the club. We had them at 15, 16 – before they left to play turf. We’re building a good side.
“Our batting is what let us down this year. We bowled well, and were one of the best fielding sides in the competition.”
