Tara Murray
Sunbury already has the ball rolling as it prepares for next season’s Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 3 season.
After a difficult season where they finished fifth and just missed the finals, the Roar has already appointed a new coach.
Jace Carton, who has been involved with Victorian Premier Cricket club Greenvale Kangaroos, has been appointed playing-coach.
Roar president Brendan Doyle said they were thrilled with the signing of Carton.
“It’s a pretty exciting time and we’re really happy with the appointment and everything that Jace brings,” he said.
“He had been playing at Greenvale and saw the job advertised and wanted to come across.
“He’s a resident of Sunbury, a local who had been playing turf cricket, he’s a great find.”
With a focus on bringing locals into the club, Doyle said Carton fitted exactly what they were looking for.
With Carton part of the under-18 coaching set up at Greenvale, Doyle said he will be valuable in bringing through the younger players.
“He has a lot of experience, and particularly his involvement in the under-18s development program is exciting,” he said.
“He brings plenty of knowledge and he will bring in some independent people to come in and do some specialist coaching.
“Guys who have been at the highest level and have been able to pull them in with their relationships in the past.”
After going through last season without a coach, Doyle said having Carton on board would take off some of the pressure on the senior players.
Carton will be a playing-coach, but has made it clear he won’t stand in the way of the development of younger players at the club.
The signing of Carton comes as the club’s turf wicket has almost been completed. The club has spent its first three seasons playing at Coolaroo while waiting for the new wicket.
Doyle said there was already a lot of interest about the wicket.
“Our training was compromised last season,” he said.
“The feedback we are already getting, even going to local cricket grounds, is about how happy they are for the club and the community to have a turf wicket in Sunbury.
“It gives the best option for both our male and female cricketers.
Doyle said with Carton locked in, the wicket ready and interest in the club, they were aiming high next season.
Since moving to the VTCA, the club has been promoted twice.
“The season ahead is looking really bright,” he said. “ We want to be successful and we want to continue going up the grades.”
