Tara Murray
Despite the uncertainty due to COVID-19 pandemic, Sunshine Heights Cricket Club has seen a massive growth the last two seasons.
While some clubs have struggled to field as many sides as previously, Heights this season is fielding eight senior sides.
Coach Wayne Miller said that people had just wanted to get out and do something after two years of lock down.
“The new numbers have been really good this year,” he said. “The club has put in two additional sides this year.
“We’re up to eight senior sides and we’ve doubled the numbers the last two cricket seasons during Covid.”
Miller said there had been a number of former players returning to the club, while others were wanting to join for the first time.
He said there had been 30 new players this season.
“People have heard about the club’s inclusivity and its inclusiveness of all cultures,” he said. “Players have got referrals from their friends to come down.
“There are a couple of social clubs that are interested in joining us too.”
Miller said despite COVID-19 hitting hard since the Christmas break, the club had still been able to fill all their full compliment of sides.
He said the club’s junior players were keen to step up where they could.
“We’re getting on the park, but it has been a struggle with numbers,” he admits. “A lot of juniors are stepping up and filling the sides. A lot of younger kids are keen to play senior cricket.”
It will be a big few weeks for the club’s division 3 side in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association as they seek to secure a finals spot.
Heading into the weekend’s match with Laverton, the side is sitting seventh, three points outside of the top four.
Three of the four sides they face in the run home are below them on the ladder.
Miller said they were starting to hit their best form.
“We have to win three of our four games, or win four of four to make sure of it.
“If we win three we are definitely in with a chance.
“We’re coming into good form and this week is pretty much the first week we have everyone back from Covid and injuries.
“We can start to build a good platform.good platform “
