Experienced duo named to coach Sharks
A PAIR of Geelong’s most experienced players will lead Manifold Heights’ successful women’s program into its second year, with Bree Gorman and Helen Jones to share coaching duties.
Gorman joined the Sharks last summer and skippered the team to second place in the North division in the inaugural year of the Barwon Women’s Cricket Competition.
She will be joined next summer by Jones, who came to the club after captaining Geelong in recent seasons.
Manifold Heights’ women’s team enjoyed plenty of support from the male players last season and Gorman said that was set to continue.
“Now we step in to having two women leading the women’s team, which I think was always the intention,” she said.
“I’ve done some (coaching) in the past, I used to help out with the Barwon Rockets so I have done bits and pieces here and there. We will use quite a team approach, we have quite a few of the men’s firsts players who have also put their hands up to help.
“Considering the majority of the team often haven’t played cricket before, it’s all about learning those basics and skills so they get the most out of the game.
“Me and Helen get on really well and we complement each other, so I think it’s going to be a fantastic season for us. The good thing about ‘ Manno’ is we just have so much fun.”
The Sharks are on the hunt for more players to join the program.
“I haven’t seen a group of women have so much fun out on the pitch and it’s just about getting around each other and having that feeling of being a team, regardless of how much cricket you have played before. We are accepting of everyone,” Gorman said. “Also there is a bit of a competitive edge to most of us as well.”