Wallington is hoping to get back up into the A1 Grade of the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association on the back of some active recruiting.
Following on from celebrating the club’s 70th anniversary season last year, the Wallabies have refocussed for a successful 2019/20 season.
While a stable committee has allowed for off field success in recent years and a sound financial position, the club is striving for the ultimate prize on field in the short term being a long overdue premiership.
Daniel Harrison has been retained as coach.
Wallington has had an active off season with the inclusion of assistant coach Damien Priddle from Bell Park, Jackson Kent (Ocean Grove), Jack and Joshua Cleary (Guild), Zac McLennan (Drysdale) and past players returning Mick Gill (Thompson), James Connoley (Echuca South), Luke Priddle (Bell Park) and Calvin O’Brien (work commitments).
Despite the loss of some players to the reinstated North Shore Cricket Club, Wallington certainly feels it has a better overall playing list that can compete to play finals in A2.
A return to A1 remains a key goal. The flow on effects is there are players who played in the top side last year may have to bide their time in C grade, which further strengthen the second side after they narrowly lost the grand final last season. Wallington will also field a D Grade side.
Wallington is also revitalising its junior program through Woolworths Have A Blast.
Marc Occhipinti is one of the junior coordinators and he acknowledged that the club hasn’t had enough focus on juniors in recent years.
“As Wallington is a smaller club, we are ideally positioned to foster a family friendly feel, where everyone knows everyone,” he said.
“We have already seen some success in our positioning as we’ve attracted a number of new families from other clubs.”
If you are interested in joining the new Wallington, go to playcricket.com.au and click on Wallington.
