Scott Yardley is back in the coaching seat for a third time at Sunbury Cricket Club.
Having led the Roar twice in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association, Yardley will lead Sunbury in its second season in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
While it’s been nearly 10 years since he last coached the senior team, Yardley has been around the club and involved in a number of different roles.
Yardley said that he had always wanted to get back involved in coaching. . He has been the club’s junior coordinator in recent years.
“I’ve sort of been inclined to coach and passion has been there the last few years,” he said.
“My family commitments have freed up so I can do it again.
“I can see things that I would like to bring into the club. Three years ago under Brad Hunter we put through a mandate to bring through the kids.
“We’ve got a group of very talented 15 to 17-year-olds, which Brad brought through and Craig [Ballinger] did last season and those kids are ready for the next step.”
Yardley steps up and replaces Craig Ballinger, who has had to stand down from the role after one season, due to work commitments.
Ballinger will continue on as a player, with Yardley saying he was one of the first people to commit.
Yardley takes over after a successful first year in the VTCA for the Roar.
Their first XI fell just short of the division 5 premiership. They needed just two wickets on the second weekend of the grand final against Moonee Valley for victory. Due to COVID-19 the second weekend didn’t go ahead and Moonee Valley was awarded the premiership having been the higher ranked team.
The Roar’s second XI managed to get first innings points on weekend one to claim that premiership.
Yardley said having gone so close to getting that first XI premiership, there was a lot of motivation among the group.
They will play in division 4 next season after being promoted.
“There is a burning desire for this year and to get that flag,” he said.
“We were so close and we got robbed by COVID at the end of the day, we were well and truly on top.
“The guys I’ve spoken to are all pretty much dedicated to go again and hopefully play in finals and get the chance to be in the big dance again and win it.
“It’s the ultimate goal.”
Yardley said that all the first and second XI players had committed again for next season.
They are talking to a couple of batsmen about coming across, but were focused on giving the young kids a chance.
Yardley said they were starting to see that people wanted to come and join the club, as being the only turf club in the area they provided a point of difference.
The club was hoping to have a turf wicket installed at Clarke Oval, Sunbury, so they can play at their home ground this season.
The Roar will also have a new captain next season, with Ballinger also stepping down from that role.
Stephen Treweek has been named captain, while Jay King will be vice-captain.
Yardley said it was the perfect time to pass on the on field leadership roles, while they still had plenty of experience around them.
Meanwhile, Sunbury bowler Jason McGann has claimed the Russell Pollock Medal for the best player in the VTCA division 5 competition.
McGann, who was also the grand final best player, finished one vote ahead of Gellibrand’s Paul Hetherington.
It’s the third time McGann has won a competition medal, having claimed the GDCA’S Sullivan Medal twice before.
