Tara Murray
Burnside Springs United is itching to make its Victorian Turf Cricket Association debut.
With its top sides having changed competitions in the off season, United has been waiting for the start of the season more than most.
The first four weekends of play were called off, and the fifth day of play which was scheduled for Saturday, after deadline, was up in the air after more rain last week.
As of Thursday morning, no decision had been made on the state of play.
United vice-president Dave Gardner said it had been a bit of a challenge keeping everyone up and ready to go.
“We are ready to go,” he said.
“The weather has had a pretty negative turn in us starting playing turd cricket in juniors and seniors as well.
“We don’t know when we’ll start yet. We’ve tried to find ways to keep everyone excited about the start of the season.
“We’ve tried to find ways to keep everyone entertained so when we get out there we are ready to go.”
Gardner said they were happy with the squad they had put together this season.
Tim Stephens joins the club as a playing assistant coach.
He has played with Essendon, Strathmore and Aberfeldie, having been involved in eight senior premierships.
Matty Knights comes to the club from Benalla, having moved to Melbourne to study.
Both are the set to play key roles this season.
“We’ve had a couple of juniors come in as well,” Gardner said. “It’s really exciting and we’re keen to see how everyone goes once on the park and being able to perform.”
Gardner said with a lot of unknowns being in a new competition, they would look to use this year as a good starting point.
The side is playing in division 5 and will play the likes of the nearby Melton Centrals and Melton South Royals.
“In terms of expectation it’s unknown as we’ve never played these teams before,” he said. “We’ll see what we can do and hopefully get some wins and use this year as a learning experience.”
The club’s top women’s side has also made the move to turf in an exciting move for the side.
Gardner said there was a real mix of old and new faces in that side who were looking forward to the new challenge.
Heading into the weekend’s match, that side was yet to play with round one the previous weekend being washed out.
Gardner said having made the move to turf, it was hopefully the start of good things to come.
“Hopefully we’ll be a destination club in the next two to three years,” he said.
“The new ground is being developed in Burnside Heights. In a couple of seasons hopefully we’re a destination club and that people are getting excited about coming to.”
United’s top side was set to face the Melton Centrals, while their women’s side was set to face Aberfeldie, both after deadline.
