DISTRICTS ARE THE REAL DEAL ... AGAIN
Impressive quick rips through Tahs batting order
DARREN Treumer’s four decades of playing, coaching and co-ordinating Territory cricket made him the ideal candidate to take an active role in the game’s future.
Treumer’s new NT Head of Cricket role embraces the batand-ball game from grassroots level to Premier Grade.
The kid who played senior cricket with the former East Darwin in the early 1980s at age 12 and later progressed to underage representative cricket in Queensland and the NT was a wicketkeeper-batsman of the highest order.
He won the CJ Walker award for the Premier Grade wicketkeeper of the year in the SACA and was a key figure in Palmerston’s rise from alsorans to the kings of Darwin cricket when he crossed to them in the early noughties.
It was a district cricket team for the ages with Treumer, bighitting batsman Ken Vowles, fast bowler Mick Miller and even New Zealand wicketkeeper and captain in waiting Brendon McCullum.
Treumer’s longevity attracted the attention of NT Cricket CEO Joel Morrison.
“I never thought about working for NT cricket, but I’ve got some sons playing the game,” Treumer said. “That led to a few discussions with Neil Price in his head of pathways role convincing me to get involved with the Academy programs.’’ Treumer sees Territory cricket as a light heavyweight boxer of great talent about to enter the ring with the big heavyweights.
“There is always room for improvement and right now the pathways team and community cricket are looking at how we can do things better,’’ he said.
“How we can re-engage with the community in what has been a really challenging year for a number of reasons.”
The presence of D’Arcy Short and Kane Richardson in the Australian limited overs squad and six players in first class squads and on rookie contracts makes the Territory an ideal breeding ground for cricketers aspiring to play shield and Test cricket.
“We’re always punching above our weight, but our vision is to produce more players who can pack their bags and head to the southern states to play cricket,’’ Treumer said.
“Our partnership with Tasmanian cricket and the Hobart Hurricanes looks very exciting.”