MAFFRA Cricket Club is putting the call-out for youngsters to join their 2022/23 junior season.
Boys and girls aged five and over are being encouraged to participate in a variety of programs, which are due to start in the coming weeks.
Maffra Cricket Club senior coach, Lee Hopkins, is managing the Woolworths Cricket Blast program, teaching the basics of cricket – catching, throwing and motor skills – to participants between five and seven-years-old.
“I really get enjoyment out of that – that’s what gets a smile on my face,” Hopkins says.
“Hopefully the longer I’m here, the kids I’m coaching at, say, five or six will be playing senior cricket at Maffra in the future.”
Hopkins believes that even in children as young as five, the potential for future talent can be seen.
“Some kids are just very quick to learn the catching skills and have good hand-eye coordination,” he explained.
“That doesn’t mean a kid that hasn’t got that cannot learn that as well.
“You find, especially with the football stuff they do as well, they’re always catching a ball or around balls now, so… they’re quite quick to learn.”
One such example is teenager Jake Pendrick, who began playing as part of Maffra’s junior development program – then known as Milo Cricket – and is now entering his second year as coach of the club’s Under 14 team.
Just last season, under the tutelage of club legend Dean Rowley, he took his team all the way to the Grand Final.
“Jake’s really good,” Hopkins enthused.
“He’s really going places with his coaching, so I hope he sticks it out, because he’s one for the future.”
Pendrick told the Gippsland Times that he would be keen to pursue further coaching opportunities: “I’d love to go on to do that as a career”.
While the majority of participants in the junior program are boys, the club is hoping to get more girls involved.
According to Maffra Cricket Club junior coordinator Cindy Rowley, the inclusive environment makes the programs ideal for girls to participate in.
“It’s different to footy, where the physical strength can be that real divider,” Rowley said.
“The club environment here, it’s really family-focused, really family-friendly.
“Most of the girls that have started with us – well, actually all of them – are sisters, getting dragged along every Saturday to watch their brothers.
“They’ve had a go and they’ve loved it, and now they play.”
Both Hopkins and Pendrick note that the benefits of participating in cricket go beyond exercise.
“Cricket’s got me everywhere; it’s got me overseas, got me jobs, got me meeting new people,” Hopkins said, alluding to his origins – he was initially brought to Maffra as an international professional from England, before opting to settle in Australia permanently.
“It’s just great to be around a sporting club, a local club, and get involved, meet new friends and just play a bit of sport – keep fit, have fun and enjoy.”
Pendrick believes it is the friendships and connections that make cricket worth pursuing.
“I’ve been here for a while (at Maffra) and got good friends now,” he said
“It’s just good to get involved.”
The club has already received several expressions of interest in joining its upcoming season, with over 40 children participating in a Come And Try session on September 8.
Player registrations can be made by visiting https://playcricket.com.au and searching for Maffra Cricket Club.
More information can be obtained by calling Cindy Rowley on 0419 921 637.
Maffra Cricket Club 2022/23 junior programs
Woolworths Cricket Blast (ages 5-7yrs): Learn cricket skills with fun games; run by Maffra Senior Coach Lee Hopkins on a Sunday morning from 10am. Eight sessions (four prior to Christmas, four in February 2023) with the first set for November 13.
U11 T20 Master Blasters (ages 7-10yrs): Backyard-style games with soft balls and much smaller ovals, with multiple games played simultaneously on the one ground. Held on a weekday afternoon. Dates TBC.
U12 Junior Cricket (ages 9-11yrs): Much more like a ‘proper’ cricket match, held on the astro pitches. The pitch length is shortened and boundary rope bought in for the kids. Everyone gets a go so they can learn the skills of the game. Matches played on a Saturday morning. Commencing October 8.
U14 and U16: Normal cricket format, with retirements and bowling limits. Also played on a Saturday morning, commencing October 8.
