By Tara Murray
Sunbury has achieved its aim of fielding a women’s cricket side for the upcoming Victorian Turf Cricket Association season.
The Roar tried to field a team last season but fell short, so put out the call again a couple of months ago.
Roar president Brendan Doyle said they had been able to enter a side in the T20 competition.
He said they had secured sponsors and the local community was behind the team.
“We have 10 signed players, including three who have never played before, but always wanted to,” he said.
“They have a passion for cricket and would sit and talk about the Test series and know more about it than half the men at the club.
“The other seven players have played cricket, but they’ve had to travel outside Sunbury to do that.”
Doyle said having 10 players was a good start, but they were still looking for a few more to add to the squad.
He said players from premier to local level had inquired, but some weren’t ready to make the move back to playing just T20 cricket.
Anyone of any ability is welcome to come down and play. The Roar are playing in a six team competition, with all matches on Sundays.
“Most games are within a 30 minute drive,” Doyle said. “We’re aiming for a list of about 14 or 15 players. It gives us a bit of flexibility if people aren’t available or are injured.”
Doyle said they were still looking for a coach but if they were unable to secure one, they still had a good set-up to help the women’s teams.
“We’ve got a couple of partners assisting them,” he said.
“With [former men’s coach] Brad Hunter and myself, we’ve been rotating between the four of us.
“Both our men and women’s teams are training together. The girls understand that they aren’t a separate entity, they are integrated with the men’s and it’s fantastic.”
The women’s side kicks off its season on October 13 against Glenroy.
Meanwhile, the Roar men’s side has so far announced three signings as they make the move to VTCA.
As first reported by the
Star Weekly, the Roar has moved its top sides from the Gisborne and District Cricket Association to the VTCA, to give the players the opportunity to play on turf.
Having previously announced the signing of bowler Jay King, they have now secured Nick Smith from Woodend, while Michael Treweek is returning to the club from Rupertswood.
The Roar will play in division 5, with the season starting on October 5.
