Bowral Blues Cricket Club’s efforts to attract more families to the game are paying off with unprecedented interest from parents and siblings wanting to play.
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At a recent season launch at Centennial Park, the Blues’, many current and new boys and girls and their parents gathered in support of the club, and to discuss playing options across the junior and senior divisions.
There has been a spike in player interest at the Blues following the club’s recent successes, which include both under-14’ teams finishing at the top of the junior division ladder last season and the senior sides making grand and semi-final appearances.
The club’s name has also been up in lights recently with so many recent and present junior players making state and national representative breakthroughs.
They include Charlie Dummer and Ravi Wik who both played at the under-17 National Championships, and Dom O’Shannessy who at just 15 achieved the rare feat of earning a ‘baggy green’ cap after cracking the Australian under-17 squad.
Fourteen-year-old Eliza Heineckie made the Cricket NSW/ACT U15 girl’s squad following her participation in the Cricket NSW under-15 Girls State Challenge.
Willoughby Watson was selected for the Cricket NSW junior Winter Zone Academy following successful performances at the Cricket NSW under-13 State Challenge and CIS state schools’ competitions.
The club has a wealth of experienced coaching and junior development personnel, including Brian Martin (Level 3 Cricket NSW Coach), Matt Watson (Level 2 Cricket NSW Coach), Lochie McCulloch (Level 1 Cricket Vic Coach) and Eliza Heineckie (Cricket NSW Girls Junior Squad).
Renowned former English international player Barry Knight is a constant mentor at the club for juniors and seniors.
Martin said the Blues philosophy revolved around welcoming players of all ages and abilities across junior and senior ranks, while putting an emphasis on technique-focussed coaching, hard work, inclusion and fun.
“We don’t care what your abilities are, or your experience is,” he said.
“We make people feel included and give everyone a go. Fun is the key to people enjoying their cricket in the junior and senior ranks and that’s the aim again this season.”
Club president Ian Pope said it was encouraging to see growing interest from parents wanting to play with their sons and daughters in the senior divisions, and brothers and sisters playing in the junior ranks.
“We’ve always been known as the ‘Friendly Club’ but now it’s more like the ‘Family Friendly Club,” Pope said.
“The door of course is wide open for individuals to sign up, but it’s a nice touch to have so many more families around.
“Although we’ve got a long track record of supporting girls in the junior divisions, it’s particularly encouraging to see so many new girls come forward this season.”
Eliza Heineckie - an all-rounder and wicket keeper who has risen through the Blues junior ranks over the past five seasons while also filling in at senior matches, said she was looking forward to a full-time tile at seniors cricket this season.
“I started from ground level at Bowral Blues Cricket Club and with so much coaching and support I’ve been able to get better and better at cricket,” she said.
“The best advice I can give to boys and girls across the Highlands is come and register with the Blues and have some fun.”
Anyone interested in playing can call in at training sessions at Centennial Park West Bowral at 2pm on Sunday’s,visit bbcc.nsw.cricket.com.au or call Craig Rheynolds on 0402 847 435.
