By Randall Woodley
“There is nothing more pleasant to the ear than the sound of leather being struck by willow,” PG Wodehouse, English author (1881 – 1975).
And this sound, celebrated by PG Wodehouse, will soon be heard every Saturday up and down the Sunshine Coast as the new cricket season commences on Saturday September 11. And the local club, Tewantin-Noosa Thunder (TNT) is well prepared to make sure they will be a real force in the Sunshine Coast Cricket Association competition this year.
Registrations
Senior and junior registrations are well underway and those interested (men and women, girls and boys) can register at tewantinnoosacricket.com.au
It is planned to have four senior men’s teams and one women’s team in the competition this season. Junior teams will be entered in every age group, commencing at five to seven years (Junior Blasters) right through to under 16s. Ages are at 31 August 2021. Training has already commenced on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for seniors with juniors to start in early September.
A lot has been happening with the club during the off-season with a new president, Alec Munn elected, and new members joining the committee. The playing fields have been upgraded and the clubhouse kitchen has been completely renovated costing thousands of dollars.
The club has been able to retain most of last year’s first grade team players but has lost their top wicket-taker, Tom Freshwater.
However, the club has been able to recruit former international player and the BBL’s top wicket-taker, Ben Laughlin and he will be a great asset especially in the T20 and one day matches.
The club won last season’s T20 competition, going through undefeated and is planning to start the season again in winning this trophy. Another player who will join the club is ex-Gympie Gold captain, Lewis Waugh who had a batting average of 32 and took 24 wickets last season. Also turning out for TNT will be ex-Caloundra all-rounder Josh Peters who will add depth to the teams. Captains of the teams will be announced in the coming weeks.
Ex-international player, Nathan Reardon will again be working with the players in a specialist training role during the season and discussions are progressing to appoint a training coach.
Pre-season match
Two pre-season T20 matches will be played at Read Park on Saturday 28 August against a Gold Coast side, captained by Nathan Reardon. TNT will have a strong first grade team including Ben Laughlin, the club’s bowling spearhead, Scott Aufderheide, plus Chris Wright, Andrew Kratzmann and Jarrod Officer. The first match commences at noon and the second at 4pm. The club is hoping for good local support to watch these matches which will feature the two ex-international players in action. The bar and canteen will be open.
The official T20 competition begins on Saturday 11 September with the first grade team playing two matches (against Nambour, morning and Caloundra, afternoon) at Caloundra. The following Saturday, the TNT boys will host Coolum and arch-rivals Maroochydore at Read Park. There are a number of matches under lights planned for the season as these were very popular with both the players and spectators last year.
The club is always on the lookout for new senior players and volunteers to assist with the juniors at practice, acting as umpires and scorers. The club is also looking for volunteers to assist with the preparation of the three grounds and wickets each week. The club has some experienced and dedicated grounds people but assistance is needed a few hours each week for the mowing of the ovals. Anyone interested can contact Jarrod Officer on 0478 815 042.
It is promising to be a big season for the club with expectations high and well thought out plans in place to bring home more than just the one premiership trophy this season.
