Stingrays commit to BPCA

SURF Coast Stingrays Cricket Club has been named as the 16th team in the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association (BPCA) ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The BPCA announced the addition of the Stingrays last week in a statement following the association’s annual general meeting, several months after the club announced its intention to push to join the Geelong Cricket Association’s (GCA) fourth division in April.

“The Stingrays were admitted to the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association at last week’s AGM, and will compete in the A2, B2 & D Grade for the coming season,” the BPCA stated.

“Now based in Torquay after starting life in Aireys Inlet, the club is looking forward to a prosperous and successful affiliation in their new home.”

The Stingrays, led by captain Richard Dawes, defeated Shelford in the GCA’s One Day 1 competition to claim the division premiership.

Stingrays president Josh Carey said rejoining the elite cricket teams of the region was the club’s next objective following the win, and joining the BPCA was a natural next step.

“This is a huge step for the Stingrays, this goes back to the idea of wanting to provide a stronger brand of cricket to the teams and the Surf Coast community,” Carey said.

“It would have been ideal to remain in the GCA, but the BPCA is such a terrific competition, and it allows us to retain how we operate as a club, and BPCA president Ian Caldwell has been extremely helpful throughout the entire process.

“If we can continue to play like we have been playing in recent years, then it means we’re heading in the right direction, we even have former players enquiring about possibly returning to the club.”

Carey stated the club has already begun pre-season preparation on July 11 for 2023/24.

Dawes has retained his captaincy position in the First XI, and will also serve as player-coach alongside Rhys Healy.