Shield win highlights school developing future crop of cricket talent

ST John’s College Woodlawn has cemented its place among the state’s top Catholic school cricket programs, after claiming the Berg Shield for the third time in four years.

The Berg Shield is one of the state’s premier competitions for Catholic high school students in Years 7–9 and aims to give them a taste of high-level cricket.

The team is coached by Jarrod Cotgrove, while Luke Collings has been at the helm of previous campaigns and is now in charge of the senior program.

“The boys worked tirelessly this season, and it’s fantastic to see their hard work pay off with this win,” coach Luke Collings said.

“This year’s squad is certainly one of the strongest in recent memory, there are quite a few players now that have won multiple Berg Shields.”

The team included promising top-order batsman Cooper Williams.

He represented the NSW state team at under-17 level earlier this year and was included in the national merit team of the tournament.

He scored a double century in a junior cricket final with Marist Brothers and was part of its LJ Hooker League premiership win in the top grade two years ago.

“Young Cooper is a once-in-a-generation player,” Collings said. “But he does it all with humility and a willingness to give back to the game.

“It has been a pleasure to witness his cricket journey, be it at school, club or representative level.

“I just hope that for however long he plays and whoever he plays for, he enjoys it and reaches his potential. It’s a significant potential.”

The Woodlawn team’s success has been supported by its Eagles cricket program.

It takes in students of all skill levels for weekly training sessions with the aim of fostering skill and development.

The school has a long history of supporting rugby league talent, while cricket keeps growing in popularity.

“Through Terms three and four, we train weekly outside of school hours and it’s not unusual to see the nets and ovals filled with Eagles in their bright red training shirts,” Collings said.

“I’m not sure it will ever rival rugby league, but if the Eagles keep growing and the kids and staff keep enjoying the game, then you never know.”