By Tara Murray
New Sunbury coach Leo Italiano thought he was done with cricket, but the opportunity to coach the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Steve McNamara Shield side was too good to refuse.
Italiano has been named the Roar’s new coach for next season, bringing a wealth of experience in the game.
He has captained Aberfeldie Park-Moonee Ponds to two premierships, while he was president of the club for 15 years.
Italiano said the opportunity at Sunbury was an exciting one.
“I wasn’t sure that I was going to get back into the game when I left Moonee Ponds three years ago,” he said.
“My best mate plays up there [Sunbury]. We played a lot of cricket together. When I left Moonee Ponds, he came to Sunbury.
“The club reached out to me through him and I met with them. It was a good opportunity.”
Italiano moved to Diggers Rest six years ago, so is already part of the local community.
He said while he’d never held an actual coaching role, he had done a lot of one-on-one stuff.
“I love cricket, I’m a cricket nerd,” he said. “I love the scientific side of sport and I do a lot with basketball as well.
“I like breaking techniques down and did a lot of that at Moonee Ponds.”
Italiano said the fact that Sunbury had the only turf oval in the Sunbury region attracted him to the role.
Also the young talent that the club has in its ranks was something that encouraged him to take on the role.
“It is what made me want the job,” he said. “There is a core group of boys coming through from 17 to 15.
“The Caruana brothers are still young, the Treweek boys, Riley Draicchio, Jack McGann, the Corcorans.
“They are just kids that love cricket and they want to be there.”
The Roar has already started recruiting, with a focus on reinforcing its batting. Sunbury finished in sixth spot in the recently completed season, but struggled at times to put the runs on the board.
Mili Sepala has signed with the club, crossing from PEGS. He will likely bat in the middle order.
He previously played with Italiano at Moonee Ponds and has also played at Bacchus Marsh and Diggers Rest Bulla among other clubs.
Italiano said they were speaking to a few other recruits, including some big names.
Anyone interested in joining the club can get in touch through social media, www.facebook.com/SunburyCC
