Tara Murray
Hanging Rock Cricket Club is going from strength to strength in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association.
The Heelers had just one senior and three juniors teams three seasons ago, but has grown to three senior teams and five junior teams this season.
Captain-coach Jarrod Milsom said the focus of the club had been developing a real family culture environment.
“What we’re trying to get out there is a more, that family orientated environment and open it up for more people.
“It’s seen a lot of younger players who played seniors last year and there’s even more this year.
“We’re going well with numbers and hopefully they will get better, with several guys in the metro area.”
Milsom said they were happy with three senior teams at the moment, with a team in each of the junior age groups.
They also have a girls under-17 team. The club is looking for more under-17 girls for this season.
Milsom said they would love to add a women’s team in the coming years to give the girls somewhere to progress to.
Some of the girls have made their senior debut this season in the third XI side.
There were several father-son combos played in the side last season, with three father-daughters already playing together this year.
“I put it out to the girls who are 16, 17 that I was looking for them to play in the seniors,” Milsom said.
“The dad’s were just as excited as the girls to play in the same team. Having a third team, we were planning to get more younger players playing.”
The first team has gone up a grade this season after winning division 2 premiership last season. It’s the club’s first senior premiership since 2010-11 when the club was still known as Hesket.
Milsom who is in his second season as captain-coach of the club said he was loving it.
“I came down two or three years ago and sat back as a player and saw the potential at the club.
“I loved it. I’m a teacher so I get involved in the junior program as well.
“Anything it’s more exciting to see the young girls and boys playing in the seniors. It’s something I did as a kid and it’s fun to play with the older guys.”
Hanging Rock has been playing in the GDCA’s regional round robin competition, while metro teams have been unable to play.
Official men’s competition will get underway on November 21.
On Saturday,
RESULTS TO COME MONDAY
