Club prepares for all-abilities cricket season

NORTH Ballarat Cricket Club’s Melbourne All Abilities Cricket Association players are padding up for a new season, with weekly training scheduled to start early next month.

The head of coaching for the club’s all abilities team, David Sproules, said the new season will start on 20 October and the first training session is scheduled for 3 October.

Training will then take place every Thursday.

Existing players and those interested in playing can meet the coaches and officials at an event from 5pm on 25 September.

Mr Sproules, player and support liaison Sarah Parker, team manager Gordon Smith, and assistant coach Gary Sternberg comprise the off-field team.

The MAACA offers opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to play cricket in divisions one and two, which have standard rules and progression and relegation, and a division three that features modified rules to suit various abilities.

Mr Sproules said players involved in the competition can advance to the Victorian all-abilities squad, and can even ultimately represent Australia.

Cricket charity Lord Taverners, to which Mr Sproules belongs, sponsors the Ballarat North club’s all abilities activities.

Mr Sproules said new players and volunteers are welcome to get involved.

“Join us for a season full of cricket and community spirit,” he said. “Let’s make this season the best one yet.”

The club has been competing in the Melbourne association’s competition for about five years.

More information is available by phoning Mr Sproules on 0423 528 255 or by emailing him at [email protected].

The cricket club’s website is at northballaratcc.com.au.