By Randall Woodley
CRICKET CLUB LOOKING GOOD FOR THE COMING SEASON
Wicket to Wicket with Randall Woodley
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic that has affected sporting clubs and events all around the world, local cricket club, Tewantin-Noosa Thunder (TNT) are primed and ready for an improved season from all their teams.
The committee have been working hard during the winter and have made some important announcements recently.
COACHES- The club has contracted Matthew Pola, who has moved to the Sunshine Coast with his young family from Melbourne (smart man) to be the club coach.
He has had various coaching roles with the Seaford Cricket Club over the past 15 years- head coach last year and assistant coach before that.
He was a Melbourne A Grade player but will be focusing on coaching both the senior and junior teams this season at TNT.
To assist him in the coaching role the club has also contracted Nathan Reardon who will be at the club on a fortnightly basis with both senior and junior teams.
Nathan is an ex-Queensland Bulls player and also played T20 matches for Australia.
He will also be running school holiday coaching clinics and will be available for private coaching sessions.
The club is excited about these appointments and is sure that results in the coming season will reflect the input from these coaches.
GROUND LIGHTING- Funded from a Federal Government Grant, the club have now completed the installation of the most up-to-date flood lights available at a cost of $500,000.
Installation was carried out by Jasstech Lighting who are a specialised lighting contractor. They are the most recent technology LED lights which are able to run “dimmed” at 10% increments. The field will be able to be lit to non-Televised 1st Class Standard for Cricket which is as good as anywhere outside of the 1st Class grounds.
To celebrate this improvement to the grounds a night match is being arranged for Friday, September 11 when the lights will be turned on officially. At 4pm that day the Women’s team will play a Junior Team and at 6.30pm, after the opening, a T20 match will be played between a Team of 100 First Grade Game players and a team of current players. On this night there will also be the naming of the First Grade Teams of the Decades (70s, 80s, 90s, 00s and 10s) Club supporters and past players are invited to this important event.
IRRIGATION- Think Water Noosa have completed the 3rd stage of irrigation which is 22 pop up sprinkler heads which cover the northern end of the field. Noosa Council assisted with 50% of the cost of this work with the club funding the balance. Further improvements will be made next year.
SENIOR TEAMS- The club is budgeting for 4 teams again this season. Certainly, the First Grade team will be strong with nearly all last year’s players returning plus the possibility of a few new men. The other teams will probably be in Third, Fifth and Sixth Grades. Many of the teenagers who played in the lower grades last season will have benefited from the experience and will add strength to all the teams.
JUNIOR CRICKET- With the assistance of the coaches, much is expected from our junior teams this season. Last year TNT had a record number of juniors playing and with the Sign-on details to be announced soon, things are looking good. The season will be not be commencing until late October due to the completion of the delayed winter sports seasons. The State Government is providing Get In the Game Grants of $150 for individuals again.
LADIES CRICKET- The club will again field a Women’s team in the Sunshine Coast competition and many of their games will be played under lights. Any interested ladies are encouraged to contact the club secretary Jason Toohey on 0402 893 099. The club coaches will have an input into the women’s training program
READ PARK – It is hoped that during the season, there will be a First or Third Grade Match played every Saturday at Read Park with One Day games to be played on a day/night basis under lights. Plans are in place for Under 14 and Under 16 matches to be scheduled on some Saturday nights.
As the season approaches more details will be released about teams, commencement of training, appointment of captains etc. There are also a number of new rules that have been brought in due to the Covid-19 pandemic and details of these will be published later.
Any enquiries about the season or opportunities to play can be directed to Jason Toohey on 0402 893 099
