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GEELONG’S booming veterans cricket club is set to become even bigger.
The Geelong Over-50s Cricket Club has announced grand plans to expand in season 2019-20, increasing its playing base to cater for an influx of players.
“We had two teams last year in the Geelong over-50s and we’re hoping to have four teams this season,” president David Roach declared.
“We’ll definitely have three, but we want four. We think we can get four.”
Claiming a second XI premiership and progressing to the semis in the top grade of the Veterans Cricket Victoria last season, the Cats will now add a third team, with hopes for a fourth XI before the start of a new season.
Roach put the call out to the region’s veteran cricketers, encouraging players of all levels to be part of the rapidly expanding club.
“Over-50s cricket in Melbourne and Geelong has ballooned,” Roach said. “It’s amazing how much it’s grown.
“And it’s not just club cricket, there’s a pathway for over-50s to represent your state at the national championships every year — with this year’s tournament being in Perth in the middle of November, culminating with the final at the WACA.
“That’s something that everyone in the Victorian squad is looking forward to. The Vics are sending six sides over to the national championships and that’s something that new players to over-50s cricket can get into.”
Up to 10 Geelong players will take part in the national championships later this year, but the main focus for Roach is to bring new faces to the club.
“We’ve got 38 on the books,” Roach said.
“Realistically, with the old boys getting injured a bit more frequently than the younger guys, and a lot more commitments at that age with family, we probably need at least 52 players to get four sides up and going.
“So we need at least 12-15 new players, but I think that’s achievable.
“We’ve signed up six already and there’s some quality ex-GCA players. In the competition we’re a part of, we travel to Melbourne once a month to play and we play at home every second Sunday.
“Australia wide, it (over-50s cricket) is just getting bigger and bigger. Next there there’s a World Cup for the over-50s in South Africa in March and that’s something else to strive for if you’re good enough.”
Roach said the club had set up base at Lara this season to cope with the influx of players.
For more information, contact Roach on 0487 721 128 or visit Geelong Over 50s Cricket Club on Facebook.