Jan Juc, Surf Coast cricket clubs looking forward to season

THE Jan Juc and Surf Coast cricket clubs are gearing up for a big summer, with both sides eyeing strong starts in their respective grades as the 2025/26 BPCA season gets underway this weekend.

The Sharks will play off in the A1-grade competition, looking to jump into the top four after falling agonisingly short last season.

Jan Juc skipper Nicholas Hyden said the group is looking forward to a fresh start under new head coach Pete Buzsard.

“We’ve had a really good pre-season,” he said.

“Most clubs would probably roll out that line, but we’ve had consistency in our numbers, both indoor and outdoor sessions.

“The buy-in to what Pete is looking to introduce to the group has been great.”

Hyden said finals is always the goal for the Sharks, especially with some new and returning faces.

“We hold high expectations of not only our A-grade group but across all our four grades this year,” he said.

“Obviously finals is the first step and from there we get an opportunity to chase a premiership.

“Tom Kearney, Sunny Singh and Lyle Priest return; Finn Bilston and Fraser Clatworthy will get full seasons after some injuries last year, and then we’ve got a great crop of juniors who have had exposure to the senior level that we’re expecting to take the next step.”

Meanwhile, Surf Coast is entered in the A2-grade competition and also just missed out on a finals berth last season.

Suns president Ben Tekin expressed his keenness for the coming season.

“It’s quite exciting,” he said.

“Our training atmosphere is strong, with competition for spots and an intensity, focus and investment in the group we haven’t seen consistently over the past two years.

“Our new four-lane net facility is forecast for construction in December, providing our members with a reward for their show of faith in the club.

The club has high hopes for its sides this season.

“We expect all teams to be in the mix for success. We were on the fringes of a fourth team with the numbers committed, but have decided to field three highly-competitive sides, with a healthy surplus this year and to build off the back of wins in all grades,” Tekin said.

“We’ve had close to 10 new, highly-skilled players join across A-grade and B-grade. We feel this will give us some solid depth and support if we do get injuries and players away throughout the season. It’s pleasing to also have no departures.”

Jan Juc will travel to take on Drysdale in its Round 1 clash, while Surf Coast will head to St Leonards.