Deer Park looks to have found the perfect balance of youth and experience in its Victorian Turf Cricket coaching panel this season.
The West B1 division club has appointed Shane Jones and Tim Collins as co-coaches.
The young up-and-comer of the duo, 24-year-old Jones, represents the exciting batch of next-generation talent the Lions have coming through the ranks.
Collins has a wealth of experience in top-line cricket, having amassed 190 matches for sub-district side Altona.
Jones and Collins have taken over from former coach Glenn Sullivan, who left the Lions in the off-season.
Deer Park president Steve Krstevski says the club has covered all bases with the appointments.
“Both Shane and Tim have been super since taking over,” he said.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Shane. As soon as he walked in the doors last year, he bought into the club.
“To be able to add Tim Collins’ experience is fantastic. I think our younger group will be well guided this season.”
Deer Park has also pulled off a couple of recruiting coups, with Graham Bennett and Matthew O’Brien joining.
A hard-hitting opening batsman, Bennett has signed on from VSDCA side Roxburgh Park and will also take on the wicketkeeping duties.
O’Brien will add another dimension to the Deer Park bowling line-up with his leg-spin having the potential to cause havoc in the West B1 division. O’Brien took 15 first XI wickets for Laverton last season.
The new recruits will form a lethal combination with returning all-rounder Ricky Suvada.
A clear standout of the competition last season, Suvada blasted 492 runs with the bat while claiming 47 wickets with the ball.
The Lions are coming off a great 2014-15 campaign in which the club came from third place on the ladder to reach the grand final before coming up short against Kingsville Baptists by two wickets.
While returning to the biggest game of the year is a focus for this season, Krstevski says the Lions’ long-term growth is also a major focus.
“We want to structure the club to move up into the A-turf competition.
“We have a lot of young guys in the team and want to give them every chance to improve and have them as 10-year players at the club.”
Deer Park enjoyed an opening-round win against Seabrook on Saturday.
