THE 54th Geoff Watt Memorial Fun Run and Festival is approaching.
Held at the Geoff Watt Memorial Athletics Track in Warragul, the running festival is Gippsland’s longest running fun run.
Distances available are the half marathon (21km), 10km, 5km and a 2.5km walk/run.
The events namesake was a long distance and marathon runner, who was a major force within the athletics community, helping to establish the Warragul Little Athletics Club.
Geoff’s daughter, former Olympian Kathy Watt, is continuing her father’s legacy, hard at work planning the event.
Kathy, from Warragul, enjoyed a decorated cycling career, winning gold and silver medals at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, as well as gold at four Commonwealth Games.
Little Athletics has partnered with the Geoff Watt Festival, and its chief executive, Myles Foreman said it was important to give back to the region’s next era of athletes.
“We are a community who likes to support each other and for us, (Kathy) as a member of our hall of fame, and a family (whose) very closely aligned to Little Athletics over many years, (it’s) very important for us to support,” he said.
Being that the event lines up with the start of the summer season, Foreman believes this is a great chance to have young, curious and active kids who may not have been aware of Little Athletics join up with their clubs following their experience on the day.
Geoff Watt mingled with some of Australia’s best, that included training with renowned athletics coach Percy Cerutty in a famous era of Australian runners such as Herb Elliott (Olympic gold medallist, 1960) and John Landy (Olympic bronze medallist, 1956).
“He was passionate about running and he really related well to people, gave them coaching plans,” Kathy said.
“I’ve met people in their 70s that have still got his training plan in their drawer… they said ‘it was like how to live your life’.
“He was really about encouraging other people and he travelled the world staying with other marathon runners and he made friends all around the world.”
Three-time winner of the Geoff Watt Half Marathon, John Duck, from Trafalgar, was on hand to launch the festival.
“Back in the day it was just a half marathon, that was it, but now there’s all the added events (for a) wider family appeal,” he recalled.
“It’s good to see it’s still going, not many events are still going after (54) years, it’s impressive to still be around.
“I’m happy to come along and put leaflets in letterboxes, whatever is required to promote the event.”
While the half marathon is sure to be competitive, the fun run is an easy-going, family-friendly occasion.
Dress-up is common for runners, while face painting, music and other fascinating stalls will surround the headline events.
This year, Little Athletics will be holding a junior clinic on the day, and kids will be treated to a green and gold presence, with the junior run-jump-throw workshop with sprinter Nana Owusu-Afriyie, heptathlon champion Taneille Crase, and Olympic throwing coach Gus Puopolo.
The Geoff Watt Memorial Fun Run and Festival will take place on Sunday, October 27.
The half marathon begins at 9am sharp, with other events following suit.
TRAFALGAR Cricket Club fast bowler Jackson Noonan has moved to second on the club’s all-time wicket-takers list.
Noonan now has 261 senior wickets, trailing only club legend Craig ‘Olly’ Nielsen on 374.
The right armer had another productive season in 2023/24, taking 21 wickets for the First XI.
Noonan picked up his 250th senior wicket during the season, and went past club great Garry ‘Wizard’ Edwards, who finished his career with 254 scalps.
Virtually all of Noonan’s wickets have come at First XI level (223), with a sprinkling picked up in the lower grades during his younger years.
Perhaps unjustly, he only has four ‘five-fas’ to his name, although this can be attributed to the sheer amount of play and misses he delivers most games.
Statistics won’t show the number of times he has beaten the bat, which would sit at an average of half-a-dozen genuine play and misses every match.
With Noonan applying pressure at one end, bowlers at the other have possibly benefitted as batsmen look to play more shots, thus bringing about a higher chance of dismissals.
Noonan’s time with Trafalgar has been highlighted with a couple of senior premierships, to go with three First XI bowling aggregates.
He still holds the record for most wickets in a representative season, taking 15 for Central Gippsland in 2015/16.
While primarily known for his bowling, he has also proven to be a more than handy bat, and has more than 1600 runs to his name.
Over the years, he has been both an opening and pinch-hitter, with his most famous innings possibly being the 86 he peeled off in a one dayer against Moe as the Ships chased down more than 250.
Assuming he keeps playing, he should go past Nielsen’s mark in the next decade.
Noonan’s long-time teammates, Daniel Heathcote and Rhys Holdsworth also feature heavily in the club’s bowling records.
Heathcote is fourth on the all-time list (241 wickets), and Holdsworth fifth (239), meaning three of the top five wicket-takers in the club’s history are current players.
Holdsworth also continues to climb the batting ranks. He has been anchored in third on the all-time list for a few seasons, but is only 1200 runs away from going past club icon and modern day great, Graeme Rankin.
A few current players went past the 1000 run mark during the latest season. They were: Cooper Burgess, Leo Connolly, Brent Claridge and Billy Claridge.
Another highlight from the bowling records was Zack Brown.
Brown moved into the top 10 on the club’s all time list with 158 poles, an incredible number for someone who only turned 24 this year.
The right arm quick has a knack for taking wickets, and has two First XI bowling aggregates to this name (one in a premiership season) and was Man of the Match in the last season’s Grand Final after taking 4/9.
The Trafalgar Cricket Club is now preparing for the 2024/25 season.
The club fields and senior and junior teams, and welcomes new players and members.
For more information, email trafalgarcricketclub@gmail.com, or check out the club’s socials.
MUCH has been happening at Trafalgar Football-Netball Club.
Teams have been moving through the season, which is now right into the throws of winter.
The Waterloo Shield was recently retained over old foe Yarragon.
As has become a recent trend against Yarragon, the senior football match in Round 7 was closely fought, with the Bloods eventually doing enough to win by 17 points.
A four goal opening term allowed the side to control the match, and they held around a two-three goal lead at every change from there.
Brad Hoffmann was best, followed by Matt Devon and Maclan McInnes, who are both enjoying breakout seasons. Dylan Farrell played a strong captains game, while the experience and youth inside 50 shared seven goals between them, with Matt Swenson booting four and Isaac Caroleo again showing much promise with three.
Reserves got back on the winners list, extending their dominance as the match wore on. The Bloods broke the game open in the second term, booting four goals while keeping their opponents to one behind. It was a similar story later in the day, as the final quarter saw Traf do all the scoring.
Angus Templeton kicked four goals in a best-on-ground display. Others to play well were Brett Cameron, Nelson Minichiello, Blake Zimora, Zeke Brown and Kynan Noonan.
Thirds played Buln Buln for the second week in a row, and had another win by a similar margin. The Bloods got up and running in the second quarter, on their way to a 37 point win.
Jordy Chapman was best, along with Jamie Buch, Toby Radford, Josh Mills, Toby McCabe and Junior Smithy, Liam.
Fourths had a big win, getting up by 72 points over Yarragon. Ryan Davis and Matt Kersten kicked 10 goals between them, with the former booting six.
Both players were named in the best, as was Brodie Gauci, Mitch Dastey, Will Mills and Wesley Scott.
Over on the netball court, A Grade went down in a close encounter, losing 54 to 49. Ellie Farmer put in a good performance, as did Tillie Manfield during B Grade’s 47-30 victory.
C Grade got the result they were after, winning 36-25, led by Jordyn Albert in a best-on-court display.
Juniors saw two wins, those going to the 17s and 15s. The 17s won a nail-biter by one, while the 15s had a less stressful game, virtually doubling their opponents score.
Best players for the respective grades was Tillie Manfield (17s), Jorja Burslem (15s) and Lace O’Brien (13s).
Since the last report, the biggest talking point has been arguably the mooted move of the Bloods’ traditional rival Newborough out of Mid Gippsland and into the Ellinbank District league.
However, it is understood Ellinbank District clubs have voted against allowing the Bulldogs to affiliate.
Meanwhile, Mid Gippsland and North Gippsland clubs held preliminary discussions last week regarding the future of both leagues.
While there is a lot to play out, it is appearing more and more likely the two will eventually reach a stage where the only option is to merge and operate under a promotion/relegation system.
Whoever would have thought you’d be talking about Traf and Newborough playing in the Ellinbank league.
Back at Traf, what a historic moment it was recently, as the Noonan brothers, Jackson, Connor and Kynan all lined up in the seniors.
While two sets of brothers in the one team is fairly common, to have three has only ever happened three times previously in Trafalgar FNC history.
The last time was in the 1990 Grand Final when Brett, Scott and Justin Cant all played together. Others belonging to this exclusive club are the Lincolns (Occa, Bags and Steve) and the Thorpe brothers (Alister, Vern and Henry) way back in 1955.
The Bloods of today were able to defeat Nyora by 31 points in Round 8.
There was further cause for celebration, as club favourite Brett Cameron also made his senior debut.
Traf needed a decent final term effort to stave off Nyora, kicking three goals while keeping their opponents scoreless in the last. Brad Hoffman was best, followed by Jace Butler, Jordyn Baker, Dylan Gauci, Brayde Bosman and Maclan McInnes.
The reserves won by some distance. Zack Brown kicked as many goals last week as he took wickets in the Grand Final, while Blake Zimora, Nelson Minichiello, Owen Zimora, Oscar Robinson and Denis Dyke all played well.
An interesting name on the team sheet also appeared – Rhys Holdswortj (that’s how it’s spelt on PlayHQ).
Thirds faced strong opposition, but fought back well in the third term, before well and truly falling apart.
Josh Mills, Brock Gill, Toby Radford, Jamie Buch, Will Mills (three goals) and Toby McCabe battled hard.
The Fourths played Buln for what seemed like the fourth week in a row, and were defeated by 44 points. Beau Tipping was one who could hold his head high.
Over on the netball courts, there was one less game, as A Grade got to put their feet up with a bye.
B Grade won by 10, led by Taylah Summersgill, while C Grade was also victorious, thanks to the efforts of Finley Dempsey.
Juniors had a clean sweep, with best player awards going to Maisie Manfield (17s), Alah Collins (15s) and Hannah Kolody (13s).
Round 10 saw Darcy Brock celebrate his 150th senior game.
The Bloods gave him a milestone to remember, with a 10 goal victory over Catani, going on their way from a six goal opening term. Ever the professional, coach Tom Hallinan still gave the side a burst at three quarter time after the team had dropped three goals to one.
Matt Devon continued his breakout year, booting four goals in a best-on-ground display, while Luke O’Neill proved his capabilities lie not just in bowling a two piece white ball. Ben Cunico was also industrious, as was Klay Butler, Brad Hoffman and Jace Butler.
Reserves made it four wins in a row, getting up by 28 points. Best players were Brett Cameron, Jacob Matthews, Brodie Malady, Blake Zimora, Drew O’Brien and Chace Struth coming back from injury.
Thirds lost by 21 points, although the scoreboard flattered them considering Catani posted a total of 5.13 (43). Toby Radford, Juddson Ryan, Toby McCabe, Will Cuthbertson, Oliver McQualter and Andrew Daly did their best in defeat.
Fourths travelled to Longwarry, and recorded a solid victory to the tune of 36 points. In a high-scoring game, the Bloods kicked 10 goals to six in the second half to win. Brodie Gauci had a big say in the result, as did Hudson Grujic, Wes Scott, Matt Kirsten, Tait Kirsten and Coen Jennings.
Netball action was highlighted by B Grade and the 15s making it four wins in a row.
B Grade got the job done 45 to 30, thanks to a good game from Lateisha Edwards, while the 15s won a competitive match 34-28 with Lucy Coulthard best-on-court.
A Grade had a strong 58-36 victory, spearheaded by Ellie Farmer. C Grade unfortunately suffered the opposite fate, although Calli Koch played well.
The 17s were also defeated, although the 13s had a big win, giving their percentage a nice boost in the process. Best players for the respective teams were Keeley Lewis-Ryen (17s) and Willow Rantall (13s).
In Round 11, the senior side recorded a gritty 13 point win over Nilma Darnum. The Bloods looked well on their way with four goals to two behinds in the first term, before the margin was just five points at the main break.
Traf did what was required in the third term, and then played smartly in the last to ensure the points. Liam Coulthard was best, followed by Klay Butler, Jackson Noonan, Brayde Bosman, Bailey Webb and Ben Cunico.
The win sees the seniors with a 5-5 win-loss record, making today’s clash all the more enticing.
Reserves hit a stumbling block, failing to build on their halftime lead, eventually going down by 12 points.
Josh Moore was best, while Tom Sampson, Jacob Matthews, Chungas Claridge, Olly Hennessy and Ryan Dyke did well.
Thirds had a big win, highlighted by bags of eight and six from Isaac Caroleo and Archie Fraser. Toby Radford found plenty of touches, as did Gus Carlson, Charlie Wilson and Josh Mills.
Nilma Darnum was too strong in the Fourths, winning by 31 points. Wes Scott, Brodie Gauci, Mitch Dastey, Olly White, Ryan Davis and Tait Kersten could hold their heads high in defeat.
An absolute credit to Nilma Darnum for fielding two junior sides. Such a sight would have been common in a previous generation; in today’s world however, it is nothing short of a minor miracle.
Over on the netball court, B Grade were the sole senior winners on the day.
B Grade won a good contest 36 to 28, thanks mainly to the efforts of Taylah Summersgill, making it five wins in a row for the side.
The same name but with different spelling featured in C Grade’s 40-31 loss, with Tayla Kleeven best-on.
A Grade went down, but not without a fighting effort from Lauryn King-Church.
Juniors enjoyed a clean sweep, highlighted by the 17s winning by a single goal.
Lena Blackshaw was best, while in the 15s, who won 32-19, Izzy Nardone played well. The 13s won 21-13, with Amelia McIntosh collecting best-on-court honours.
TRAFALGAR Cricket Club held its presentation night recently. Players, families and supporters gathered to celebrate what was a jam-packed 2023/24 season.
The 2023/24 season saw plenty of action on and off the field, most notably the Ships moving back to the Warragul District Cricket Association.
The move was overwhelmingly positive, and resulted in the club experiencing its best senior registration in living memory.
The club went into the season entering three senior teams, but numbers ended up being so strong there was often weeks with enough to field close to four sides.
Another big highlight was the resurrection of Trafalgar High School Oval, which became the home base for the Third XI.
The club wishes to thank Trafalgar High School, especially its principal Brett Pedlow, along with Community Bank Trafalgar & District for their unwavering support in seeing the project come to fruition. Strong numbers ensured teams were competitive week to week, and this was reflected in results. The First XI finished second on the home-and-away ladder, while the Seconds and Thirds both finished on top.
This was the first time since 2006/07 Trafalgar had all three senior teams make finals.
Unfortunately the Firsts and Thirds lost their respective semi-finals, but the Second XI ensured at least one premiership for the season.
The Seconds had a dominant season, completing the clean sweep by winning the two-day, one-day and twenty20 flags. The side actually only lost one game for the whole season, which came on Caulfield Cup weekend.
At presentation, players and officials were acknowledged for their efforts.
Darren Brown was a deserved recipient of the Ray Burgess Perpetual Trophy for Best Club Person. ‘Browny’ put in countless hours mowing and maintaining the main oval and surrounds, on top of playing commitments. The award topped off a great season for the family, as his son Zack was named Man of the Match in the Second XI Grand Final.
Rhys Holdsworth won the Richard Errington Medal yet again for First XI Best and Fairest, and Alan Rankin Memorial for batting aggregate, as well as the George Browne Memorial for club champion. The left hand batsman has now won the Errignton Medal a staggering seven times, well and truly putting him in the conversation of all time club great.
At league level, Rhys also won the WDCA league medal and batting aggregate following another 600-plus run season.
Fellow left hander Shane Lanham joined Rhys on the league podium, after taking out the league bowling aggregate in Division 5 (C Grade).
‘Shane-o’ has worked hard on his bowling in recent seasons, and was rewarded with not only the league award, but the club aggregate as well.
Club best-and-fairests were won by Olly Hennessy (Second XI) and Brent Claridge (Third XI – fourth consecutive season).
English import Sam Sharp completed a solid first season in Australia, winning the First XI bowling aggregate, while Josh Campbell, who proved to be one of the ‘finds’ of the season, won the bowling average.
Four players scored centuries this season (all in the First XI): Rhys Holdsworth (2), Liam White, Aydan Connolly and Leo Connolly.
Josh Campbell took two five wicket hauls and Jackson Noonan nabbed a six-fa in the First XI. Jordan Chapman and Owen McLeod-Agland took five-fas in the Second XI and Shane Lanham and Luke O’Neill did so in the Thirds.
Owen also snared a hat-trick in a Second XI T20, and was named player of the finals.
Youngster Zac Larkin took out the Third XI Batting Average with 31.83 after scoring close to 200 runs for the season. The right hander looks to be a handy all-rounder for the future.
Wicket-keeper Leo Sanczuk also took the keepers equivalent of a five-fa, gloving five catches in one innings for the First XI.
The players trip away was to Phillip Island, which proved to be potentially life-changing.
JUNIOR presentation was held separately, with the achievements of teams and players celebrated. The Under 15s were the standout side, winning the premiership, while the Under 13s showed great improvement.
Trafalgar combined with Drouin to form an Under 17 team, who made the semi-final. The club wishes to thank Drouin Cricket Club for their partnership, which provided kids from both clubs somewhere to play.
It was agreed to still award the Ben Rowney Medal in the merged team. The medal is named after the Trafalgar Cricket Club life member, and awarded to the under 16/17 best and fairest.
Fittingly, Trafalgar players James Pace and Louis Hennessy tied for the award. Louis was later awarded Rising Star at senior presentation, while James played a match-saving role in the Second XI premiership, top-scoring at Number 11 with a run-a-ball 31.
Liam Smith took a six-fa in the 17s, and was named in the WDCA Team of the Year.
In the 15s, award winners were: Darcy Walsh (players player) and Ryley Gunn (most improved). Darcy won the bowling aggregate and Olly White the batting.
Coaches Leo Sanczuk and Sam Sharp did an excellent job with the team, and were presented with gift baskets featuring Aussie items to take back on the plane.
The pair were hosted this season by Peter and Jill McCourt, who the club thanks wholeheartedly for taking them in, and Mark Smith, who hosted Sam up until Christmas before heading overseas for work. The 13s had a few wins during the season. Griffin Holies provided a big highlight by winning the league bowling aggregate.
All 13s players were presented with medals. Players were: Griffin Hoiles, Oscar Hoiles, Arthur Walters, Lachlan Van Boven, Eli Devine, Charlie Franke, Riley Fallon, Reid Barnes, Aydan Shareff, Amaan Shareef and Max Allen.
The Trafalgar Cricket Club now looks forward to next season.
Training sessions are set to begin in coming months as the Ships aim for further success. The club always welcomes new players, members and sponsors.
If you are interested in joining a great family club, visit trafalgarcricketclub.com.au, or email trafalgarcricketclub@gmail.com
Trafalgar Cricket Club Second XI award winners Jordan Chapman, Mitch Claridge, Olly Hennessy, Cooper Burgess, Louis Hennessy and Owen McLeod-Agland.Junior award winners James Pace, Liam Smith and Louis Hennessy. First XI award winners Josh Campbell, Leo Sanczuk, Sam Shark, Aydan Connolly and Liam White.English players Sam Sharp and Leo Sanzcuk, flanking their Australian hosts, Jill and Peter McCourt.
ANOTHER football-netball season has started for the Trafalgar Football-Netball Club. The familiar sight and sounds of country football and netball are currently permeating, providing the soundtrack for the next six months. Appointments for the 2024 season see Tom Hallinan back for his third year at the helm as senior coach. Joining the crew this season is Kev Hennessy, who has bravely stepped up to coach the reserves. It is great to have a full complement of junior teams back this season, and coaches have done a great job rounding up the numbers. Cooper Burgess and Matt Devon are providing the funnest time imaginable coaching the Thirds, while Jamie Marslen has made the move up from the junior club to coach the Fourths, which has provided good familiarity to the players. On the netball court, coaches are: Dani Davies (A Grade), Alesha Hallinan (B Grade), Angie Blackshaw (C Grade), Ellie Farmer (17s), Calli Koch (15s) and Bella Rosato (13s). At time of print, two games were completed in the Ellinbank District Football-Netball League season. Those looking at the senior football side on paper for the first game may have been excused for making comment at the sheer mix of youth and experience. On the field for senior football, Traf had a disappointing final term that saw a 10-point deficit turn into a 27-point loss against Lang Lang in Round 1. Among the bright spots however was Isaac Caroleo kicking three goals on senior debut. Others to play well were Jace Butler, Brayde Bosman, Daniel Baker, Liam Coulthard and Brad Hoffmann. Reserves only lost by 14 points, with Zack Brown playing well in defeat, along with Owen Zimora, Jaxen Rowe, Ben Cunico, Keegan Tullett and expert mediator, Blake Zimora. Thirds lost a thriller by just three points. In a pulsating finish, the ball was in attack for Traf as the final siren sounded. The Bloods probably should never have been in that position, as they kicked four goals to none in the first half, and then didn’t score in the last term. Even usually placid coach, Cooper Burgess may have been tempted to vent his frustration, having built it all up ever since an afternoon at Morwell involving leg side fielding restrictions. Juddson Ryan, Toby McCabe, Louis Hennessy, Brock Gill, Angus Carlson and Riley Timbs got the nod as Traf’s best. The Fourths had something of a reverse, coming from behind to win by five points. The Bloods trailed by a point at three quarter time, but kicked a goal and kept their opponents to a solidary behind in the last. Will Mills, Wesley Scott, Dylan van der Stoep, Matt Kersten, Riley Peters and Tait Kersten did a good job. On the netball court, B Grade was the only senior team to salute. B stood for best as the Bloods won 34-30, with Lateisha Edwards the most outstanding. A Grade only lost by two, and were well-served by Grace McRae. C Grade went down comfortably, although Tayla Kleevan was able to hold her head high. In juniors, the 17s got the points courtesy of a 31-27 win. Tessa Farrell played well, as did Madison Schrader in the 15s defeat. Skyla Embleton also put in a good performance in the 13s. The next round saw Traf host Poowong, where the senior side recorded victory. Traf led at every change, and in what turned out to be a pretty good game in the final term, held on to win by 15 points. Such a margin was perhaps long odds at three quarter time, when the Bloods had six goals to one on the board, before Poowong rallied with four of their own. Dylan Gauci got the nod as best-on in the win, after doing a sound job shutting down key Poowong player Jack Hazendonk. Others to play well were Klay Butler, Maclan McInnes, Dylan Farrell, Jordyn Baker and Connor Noonan. Reserves had a commanding win, getting Kev his first four points as coach of what is the hardest grade to coach in any sport. Blake Zimora was busy early with a couple of goals, while Ben Cunico, Caden Webb, Tyron Stevens, Oliver Hennessy and Brodie Malady also did some damage. The Thirds survived a late scare, holding on by a goal. After controlling the first three quarters, Traf failed to score in the last quarter, but did enough to ensure they had enough time to sing the song and make it to Traralgon to catch up on goings on. Toby McCabe, Josh Mills, Andrew Daly, Brock Gill, Matt Kersten and Jordan Chapman were best. Fourths went down to a strong opposition, and will look to take some learnings out of the contest. Will Mills, Olly White, Brodie Gauci and Zak Larkin showed their skills aren’t just confined to cricket, while Tait Kersten and Ryan Davis also battled hard. Senior netball enjoyed a clean sweep, with most games decided by significant margins. Traf nearly doubled their opponent’s score in A Grade, winning 49-25. Bella Rosato was best, taking off from Lateisha Edwards, who played a blinder in B Grade, which the team won 47-32. C Grade had a closer game, but still nearly won by 10, getting up 35-26 thanks to the efforts of Sydney Blackshaw. In junior stakes, the 15s were the only team to toast victory. Izzy Nardone was best in the 25-21 win. Tessa Farrell was good for the 17s, as was Willow Rantall in the 13s.
In a big win against Churchill the Traf Bowls teams took the Division 3 grand final by two shots.
With only Carol Fox’s rink left to play, Trafalgar was in the lead 56-53. Churchill had one shot up. Carol pocketed her last bowl giving Trafalgar a fantastic two-shot victory.
TRAFALGAR (2) 56/12 defeated CHURCHILL 54/4
After 16 ends the overall score was Trafalgar 41, Churchill 40
Lyn Hill, Peter Watson, Rob Connell, Gill Creighton’s rink got a slow start and was down 10-2 at the 8th end. From here on in Trafalgar fought back out scoring Churchill 9-8 going down 11-18.
Carol Fox, Greg Sephton, Rob Matthews, Helen Brodie’s rink it was a real battle, the lead changing on 7 occasions. It was 20 all on the 18th end. Churchill scored 3&4, to be up 27-20 needing a 4 to win the match. Carols team kept their cool, holding the opposition to a 1 for a 2 shot Grand Final Victory .
Margaret Moss, Graham Hill, Rena Spark, Ed Davies’s rink had a “Great Day Out” and led all day allowing the opposition to score on only 6 ends for a massive 25-8 victory.
It is a myth that lawn bowls is a game for the elderly. Although that demographic is well represented at most clubs, younger people are now playing the game at clubs across Australia.
Trafalgar’s Ian Miles explained that the average age of the Australian female bowls squad is twenty seven. The average age of Australia’s national cricket team is thirty one.
Lincoln Fraser (left) is nine and this is his first season.
Kyen Jenkins (right) is almost a bowls veteran by comparison and at sixteen Kyen has made the B Grade Finals and is currently playing in Division 1 for Trafalgar.
Lincoln followed his dad’s example, who was an early starter, and Kyen told us his Grandfather Billie introduced him to the sport a couple of years ago. Kyen plays a lot of other sport and makes the point that there is a lot to like about bowls, not the least being that you don’t have to run.
Both these young players show a lot of promise and many more young players are welcome at Trafalgar and other clubs in the district.
If you would like to chance your arm, the club invites anyone and everyone to have a roll on Wednesday evenings during the summer months. It is an opportunity to have some fun in a relaxed environment and enjoy a free sausage sizzle. The bar will be open.
A sign at the door says: ‘There are no strangers here, just people you haven’t met’ and they mean it, so you will be made to feel very welcome. Starts 5:30.
Trafalgar Bowls Club is at Seven Mile Road.
Pictured: Top: Nine year old Lincoln Fraser shows his style Bottom: Kyen Jenkins, 16, playing B Grade Finals and Division 1
Those miners must have really loved their cricket.
Either that or they wanted to get as far away from being underground as possible.
What better way to do it than to build a cricket ground on top of a mountain 200 metres above the Walhalla township?
The pioneers of the late 1800s, who sliced the rugged mountain with picks, shovels and wheelbarrows, were surely looking down with pride last month, beaming that their little old ground was still being used all those years later.
Not only has the ground lived on, so too has Walhalla Cricket Club.
Walhalla Cricket Club commemorated its 150th anniversary on Sunday, February 5 welcoming Melbourne Cricket Club, just as it had for a centenary match in 2007.
As legend has it, former Australian captain Warwick Armstrong wagered he could hit a ball from the oval onto the roof of the Star Hotel down below in 1907.
Current day traversers of the Walhalla Cricket Ground can read all about Armstrong’s exploits, as well as other sporting asides that took place, thanks to a number of information boards posted on the track up the hill.
The track itself zigzags its way to the cricket ground, and takes about 20 minutes one way.
A number of players, wanting to take in the true Walhalla cricket experience, made the trek up the hill on Sunday – it’s just something you ‘have to do’ if you’re playing a game at Walhalla.
Players were given some assistance, as their kit bags were transported up by car – the mode of transport replacing the horse and cart mainly used to get to the Walhalla ground in the early part of the 20th century.
Without stating the obvious, one can’t imagine Walhalla cricketers back then would have arrived with much more than the clothes on their back to get a game of cricket going.
Upon arrival to the ground, all was in readiness for the first ball of two twenty20 games to be bowled.
An old chalk scoreboard, thought to be from the 1960s, had been resurrected for the occasion, while tree trunks marked the oval’s perimeter.
Standing in the centre, with the clouds feeling as though they were within touching distance, notions of how hustling this place must have been during the town’s peak years when the population swelled around 4000 rang true.
To the present day, those who had the distinction of playing cricket at possibly the highest altitude ever began to take the field.
Up first was Blackbridge Cricket Club (a team of Gippslanders that compete in winter cricket) up against the Melbourne Cricket Club XXIX Club (‘The 29ers’).
Blackbridge decided to bowl, and restricted their opponents to under 100.
The Gippsland side chased the total with little fuss, paving the way for the main event: Walhalla vs Melbourne.
The Walhalla team contained Trafalgar Cricket Club two-time premiership player Klay Butler. The team was put together through various connections to the club and township (Butler has family who reside in Walhalla).
The home side, (who had never played together), batted first and put up a good fight against a strong MCC which contained state and Victorian Premier Cricket players.
Regardless of the result, cricket was the real winner, and showcased the potential for the Walhalla ground as a marquee venue for future matches.
The club, which is affiliated with Traralgon District Cricket Association, has plans to host even more matches into the future, and hopefully one day, build clubrooms overlooking the arena.
If Sunday was anything to go by, the Walhalla Cricket Club has a very active and enthusiastic committee, determined to preserve the proud history of cricket in the area.
Walhalla has produced a Test cricketer after all.
Membership is available to the Walhalla Cricket Club.
Those interested can get in touch with committee member Dale Potter OAM via dalepotter@hotmail.com.
Mountaintop cricket
Trafalgar cricketer Liam Durkin played in one of the games at Walhalla on Sunday.
Here, he provides a few insights
State of the ground
Considering it is hardly used, and what it has been through in recent years, (flood, bushfire) the ground is in decent condition.
You can certainly play ‘a’ game of cricket there without any issue.
Respectfully however, I would not deem it fit to play a proper match for competition points in its current state just yet.
Like a golf course, there are exposed tree roots in sections along the boundary, and rocks coming through the surface.
These were painted white on Sunday to warn players, who certainly weren’t putting their bodies on the line.
At one stage I chased a ball from backward square to the fine leg boundary. Ordinarily, I would have dived to stop the ball crossing the fence, but seeing only rocks beneath me, thought it would have been quite a long and painful trip to LRH if I had one side of my body ripped to pieces.
Before the game, we agreed that any six would simply go down as a dot ball.
The square boundaries would not be much bigger than 40 metres, so there would have been countless lost balls if guys started teeing off.
One player instinctively flicked a ball off his pads over square leg for a maximum, and promptly put his hand up in apology as if to say ‘I didn’t mean that’.
Looking at how small the ground was, I couldn’t help but think how big scores would have been when football was played there.
You could literally kick a goal from the centre.
The poor centre half forward back then wouldn’t have been needed at all.
Journey up and back
Strangely enough, it is quicker to walk up the hill than it is to drive.
The walk takes about 20 minutes, while the drive takes you on a windy dirt track for 10 or so kilometres.
The drive goes some distance out of town, before turning right off the main road and then heading back toward the ground.
In a word, the road to the cricket ground is ‘rough’.
It is only one lane for most of the journey, and with a number of hairpin turns and cliff faces, certainly makes for a bumpy ride.
Needing to drive up to get my bag after the game, I spent part of the journey thinking ‘I really hope someone isn’t coming the other way’.
Most of the journey however was spent wondering if the little old work car would actually make it up the hill.
Happy to report we got out in one piece.
So, if a Hyandai i45 can make it up the Walhalla cricket hill, most cars should be able to.
The sight of an orange Mustang in the cricket ground carpark gave me some confidence I was going to be safe.
Experience
Granted it was a social game and we weren’t playing for sheep stations, (or should I say, for gold) it was still a great time playing in a unique location.
All in all, it was a bit of fun mixing with fellow cricket lovers.
The astro pitch took some getting use to as the synthetic actually ended at the return crease (where the stumps are).
This meant, when you bowled, your back foot landed on the turf and your front on the concrete. Ordinarily, the concrete extends a few metres further.
That being said, the day was filled with positives, and hopefully Walhalla can get more games up and running.
The ground has hosted a match for premiership points in the TDCA before, and speaking to president Keiran Watson, they are hoping to get a women’s competition going in the near future.
Appropriately taking on the nickname ‘The Miners’, the club has some great merchandise, including a very stylish baggy green cap.
Thinking a bit outside the square here, but with Brian Taylor having a holiday house in Walhalla, could there be scope to get him involved?
Imagine BT commentating cricket games up at Walhalla.
Boy oh boy.
Surely we could hear a bit of “that was out of bounds” whenever a ball gets lost.
Any comparison?
In terms of unique cricket grounds, Walhalla would surely take some beating.
Wes Pump Oval in Callignee, which has one side lined by forest, offers some sort of comparison locally from a layout sense.
With obvious apologies, some other picturesque grounds in Gippsland are Toongabbie, Yallourn North and Jindivick.
Toongabbie’s ground will be a photographers dream once the white picket fence goes all the way around, while it is quite a nice sight playing at Yallourn North, facing north and seeing the mountains in the background.
Jindivick’s ground is well worth a visit, as less than a metre separates part of the boundary’s edge from the valley below, with views into Warragul.
Further afield, the Hume and Hovel Cricket Ground in central Victoria is a popular destination.
The ground is located in Strath Creek, and is actually a replica of Lords – it has the same slope gradient and number of pickets around the fence.
With more exposure set to come, who knows, Walhalla might even get a turf wicket one day.
They wouldn’t be the only club in Baw Baw hoping to see that happen.
Photo captions
Cricket underway in Walhalla.
One of the quirks of playing on a mountaintop is that balls often end up in the bush.
Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
The Walhalla Cricket Club team, featuring former Trafalgar Cricket Club player Klay Butler (front row, second from left).
Trafalgar cricketer Liam Durkin (front row, left) played in one of the matches up at Walhalla.
Players must hike up a 200 metre hill to get to the ground.
Trafalgar Cricket Club has enjoyed its time on the field in recent weeks, with some good performance across the board. A Grade action saw an improbable win against Morwell, making up for loss to Mirboo North the previous week. In the game against Morwell, while the scoreboard says Traf won by nine wickets, the full story is this game looked all but certain to end in a draw for 95 per cent of the day. Making the trip to Keegan Street Reserve, the Ships decided to bowl first after winning the toss.
Jackson Noonan struck in his first over, and had another not long after.
Morwell was reduced to 3/23 following the worst run out in local cricket history, before the middle order got a partnership going.
Play was stopped twice during the innings. The first for around 20 minutes, and the second after 43 overs when umpires raised concerns over the run-ups.
At that stage, Morwell declared, players had tea, and waited, and waited and waited.
In what was surely the latest start time to a second innings ever, Trafalgar started batting at 5pm.
The rulebook was given a good going over, and the total required for the Ships set to 104 off 20 overs to win on Duckworth-Lewis.
Rhys Holdsworth was sent out to open with Aiden George, and the two played their shots to see the side to 50 in no time. Noonan was put up to three to pinch-hit, and played the support role superbly, as he and Holdsworth saw the visitors over the line with 14 balls to spare.
A good contest against Moe followed, with Trafalgar helped out by their friends at Toongabbie Cricket Club, who loaned left arm orthodox Matt Barry for the day.
Another close game followed, although this was butchered in circumstances you wouldn’t believe against Centrals.
Needing to stabilise, the Ships did just that with victory over Traralgon West.
In a game eerily similar to the 2019/20 semi, Traf won with two wickets in hand, with the winning runs coming from the number 10 via a flick fine.
And just like that semi, captain Aydan Connolly getting run out made for a closer game than perhaps it should have been.
Traf bowled first and restricted their opponents to 148.
The chase was in cruise control for most of the first two sessions, before a direct hit saw Connolly short of his ground.
From there, the Ships lost a few wickets on the run home, but were able to scratch out the required runs with a handful of overs remaining.
Trafalgar collected a bonus point with a fairly bruise-free win over CATS the next week.
The Ships defeated CATS by eight wickets, in a match that became a ‘let’s get this over with’ affair.
Playing at Moe Racecourse, CATS actually travelled further to play a home game than their opponents.
The home side batted first, but could only manage 71, as Trafalgar’s bowlers all came to the party.
Noonan took 2/21 with the new ball and Zack Brown’s hamstring made a miraculous recovery after he grabbed an early wicket, finishing with 3/23.
Connolly mopped up, playing the role of vulture to perfection in his 3/16.
With not many to get, and with Trafalgar scorer Lindsay George threatening not to return in 2023 if the Ships lost, the visitors were in a bit of trouble at 2/11, but from there, were able to get to the target comfortably.
Connolly played well for an unbeaten 40, partnering with Liam White in a 64-run stand.
Trafalgar moved into two-dayers after Christmas, picking up their season from there.
The Seconds got their season underway at Northern Reserve, Morwell, playing Churchill.
Some fireworks from Blake Zimora down the order saw him make a counterattacking 30.
Zima sent a ball over the fence, adding to his bomb tally from last season.
A rescue effort from Burgess and Brendan Dawson saw Trafalgar to a total of 146 batting first in the next game against Latrobe.
The pair put on 93 for the fourth wicket, picking up the pieces following some early carnage.
A captain’s knock of 59 from Coop and 46 from Dawson enabled the score to stretch out as close to 150 as possible.
Youngster James Pace then set a strong tone, taking a wicket in the first over, and was ably backed up by those who followed.
Darren Brown was miserly, returning figures of 1/24 off nine with two maidens.
Some tense moments came late in the piece, but Burgess’ heroics followed his batting, taking a five-fa to ensure the Ships stayed ahead of the game.
Mark Smith got the side off the park and into the winner’s circle.
Smithy, with ice in his veins coming back for his second spell, grabbed the last two wickets, ending with figures of 2/11 off five overs.
Trafalgar put up a 200-plus score the following week against Churchill (again), which proved to be enough batting at Northern Reserve.
A 45-run partnership between Christian Burgess and Billy Claridge motored the score along, with the latter striking at more than 100.
Burgess Senior showed no signs of rust, on the day at least, scoring a fine 82 opening the batting.
He combined with Zack Brown, who made a captain’s knock of 40 in an 80-run partnership.
All three top-scorers hit sixes in their effort.
The bowlers then came to the party, and reduced Churchill to 4/23, from which time there was little recovery.
Brent Claridge took three of the first four wickets to fall, while it must have been Burgess’ day, claiming a wicket with a ball that hit the base of leg stump on the second bounce.
Traf lost the next game, although a score of 62 to Billy Claridge made for some positives.
The Ships turned around the result seven days later, posting a huge score up at Willow Grove.
It was tee-off time as Traf sent the ball to all parts of Willow Grove Rec Reserve.
The Ships put up a huge total close to 250, as the middle order feasted on the opposition bowling.
Billy Claridge’s 46 came off just 23 balls and included six sixes, while Connor Dastey played a swashbuckling cameo of 35 off 21 with three sixes.
We are told one of those sixes would have kept going to Traf if it wasn’t for the coaches box intercepting it.
The Burgess’ played little more within themselves, with Cooper making 61 and Christian 45
The Ships then made it an early day, bowling their opponents out cheaply.
James Pace did the damage up top, before Claridge came on and got what we are sure was a five-fa he worked hard for.
A nice moment came with Mitch Claridge taking a catch off his older brother as he got one for the mantle and did his average no harm with 5/1 off 5.2 overs.
C Grade has enjoyed the chance to get on the park when they can.
Their first match was a rain-soaked affair in the Callignee mountains, so much so it was decided not to even waste a new ball.
The game against Yallourn North ended up being quite bizarre.
Traf was 6/11, but then Anthony Faltum and young Will Mills combined for a great 98-run partnership for the seventh wicket, taking the score up to a defendable 109.
The Ships were able to defend just that, rolling their opponents for 71.
Falts was brilliant, scoring 59 not out in a rescue effort batting at number eight, while Mills showed maturity to score 24 not out.
Wickets then went to Zak Larkin and Liam Smith.
More unusual things happened in the game against Boolarra.
Batting first up at Boolarra No 2, the Ships were skittled for just 82.
Extras top scored on 20, while only three players managed double figures.
Despite this, an inspired effort with the ball led to a Trafalgar victory.
Victory appeared a long shot when Jeeralang-Boolarra was 3/50, but a wicket to Smith Junior swung momentum dramatically.
From there, the Ships were able to strike at regular intervals, and win by 19 runs.
Traf took 7/12 to complete the win. The bowers showcased good accuracy, getting six wickets bowled and another lbw among them.
Youngster Zak Larkin took the winning wicket, to go with three for the game.
Seniors Brent Claridge and Steve Asmussen were miserly, taking 2/6 and 2/9 respectively.
Bowling saved the day again against Mirboo North.
The Ships gave themselves something to defend, scratching out triple figures at home.
Brent Claridge made 23 up top and Memphis McQualter 19 down the order to help the cause.
Traf was able to strike early with the ball, and just kept striking.
The first wicket fell with the score on three, and the third with the score on nine.
A little while later, it was 5/35, and before too long, all out for 60.
Darren Brown was the pick of the seamers, ending with amazing figures of 2/13 off eight with five maidens.
Young Zak Larkin also gave little away, taking 2/16 off eight with three maidens.
Other wicket-takers were Claridge, Smithy Senior, Olly White, Shane Lanham, and Adam Carlson, while Craig White conceded just five runs in four overs.
Photo captions
Trafalgar players celebrate a wicket in a one-day match.
The time-hounored tradition of afternoon tea has made a welcome return this season. Trafalgar’s reputation for providing one of the best spreads in the competition continues to be upheld.
Ken Capper and his team of Tim Anderson, Danny Bryant and Jim Wilson have been successful in winning this year’s Men’s Fours Championship at Trafalgar Bowls Club, with a solid win over Mal Clymo and his team of Peter Watson, Tony Dawson and Peter Dart; 21 shots to 13. Clymo’s team got off to a fast start and led 7-3 after five ends, but then lost the next six ends to trail 15-7.
Whilst it was pretty even after that, they could not bridge the gap. Bryant and Wilson are enjoying their first seasons with the Trafalgar Bowls Club, having come from Bairnsdale and Port Welshpool, and both put in a consistent display of draw bowls to give Cappers team the edge.
Photo caption: Danny Bryant, Jim Wilson, Tim Anderson and Ken Capper.
Those who played in the old Tanjil Valley Tennis Association were invited to a reunion.
The reunion will be held Sunday, January 29 2023 at the Willow Grove Recreation Reserve from 11am.
Bring your own picnic lunch, tea/coffee provided. Drinks at bar prices.
We would like to have a shared afternoon tea, so please bring along a plate of food that lives up to the TVTA standard.
You are welcome to bring along any photos or memorabilia but their care will be your responsibility.
Please spread the word to anyone who played tennis in the TVTA including those who have moved from the area.
Any enquiries to Joan Brown on 5635 2361 Heather Savige 0427 274 685.
Tanjil Valley tennis consisted of clubs from Erica, Rawson, Hill End, Willow Grove, Tanjil South, Westbury, Yulungah, Yallourn North, Trafalgar Uniting, C of E Moe, Moe High School and Newborough.
In the early years, clubs from Fumina and Icy Creek also competed.
If you are ever lacking motivation, just think – they raced at Moe when half the state was underwater. And they didn’t just race, they held an entire meeting on Moe Cup Day. While every other grass track in Victoria was deemed unfit to race on Friday, October 14, little old Moe went through a nine race-card program unscathed. In what was a proud day for the club, sure to live long in the memory of all those involved, the Moe Racing Club’s StrathAyr track passed the ultimate test on the biggest day of the club’s calendar. On that calendar, the Moe Cup was pushed back a day from its traditional Thursday timeslot, and just as well – there was more than 20 millimetres that fell last Thursday. While the sense of irony about rain on Moe Cup Day (which to those unaware, has become a recurring local joke) was not lost, officials would have surely been feeling trepidation as the rain pelted down. Moe Racing Club office manager, Sandra Townsend, was reportedly on the phone all day repeating the words “yes, we are racing tomorrow”. Although many had predicted a washout after 23.6ml fell on Thursday night, they perhaps underestimated the sheer strength of the club’s StrathAyr track. The track had previously withstood 15ml falling before and 36ml falling throughout a meeting last year. But a Moe Cup offered a sterner test, not so much in terms of the rain, but in terms of what was at stake. In the end, you couldn’t have asked for a more ringing endorsement for the track at Moe Racing Club; you could hardly even notice rain had affected the track. Jockey’s the calibre of Craig Williams have spoken glowingly of it in the past. That track has well and truly paid for itself since it was installed in 2016. The sand-based track is designed to allow continuous drainage to occur and prevent surface water laying on the track. By the end of the meeting, Moe Racing Club had the last laugh against anyone who thought the meeting was ever in doubt. The Cup was won by five-year-old gelding Fengarada, trained at Pakenham by John Leek Jr. Heartland Raider carried the hopes of locals, with the Charlie Gafa trained mare flying the Moe flag. Sale-trained Plymouth Road also took part, but appeared to not want to jump once the barriers flew open. Fengarada and Not Usual Glorious jostled for front position early, with the latter taking the lead all the way to 400m mark. With 700m to go, the Travis Doudle trained gelding appeared in a good position, with racecaller and Stony Creek Racing Club chief executive Adam Olszanski declaring “everything going to plan for Not Usual Glorious, the SA visitor down the side trying to steal another one of our cups”. However, Fengarada, having maintained a steady pace for the entirety of the race, broke from second in the last 250m, taking over to run away and win by a length from Fifth Position. The win took his record to 16-6-4-0, and netted the Pakenham-based stable, headed by trainer John Leek Jr, an $82,500 prize purse. Trafalgar had a win on the day, with a Mick Templeton runner getting up in Race 6. The meeting started with Flight to the Moon winning the Race 1 Triple M Maiden Plate over 1600 metres. In what was a thrilling start to the day, the first three horses were separated by a nose, with the four-year-old gelding sneaking in, sandwiched between Gottabesavvy and Satin Image, ridden by Trafalgar jockey Jason Maskiell. Peintre’s Pride had a more straightforward victory in the Race 2 TM&H Mitre 10 Maiden Plate (1100m), winning by a length after running from third with 400m to go. With floods across Victoria leaving roads closed and stables finding it physically impossible to transport horses through flood-affected areas, only four horses were able to take part in this race. This was followed by Empressive Enuff doing exactly as its name suggested, winning the Race 3 Harcourts Moe-Newborough 4Y0+ Maiden Plate (1100m). The four-year-old gelding took an early lead and was rarely headed, winning for the Mornington stable of Dean Binaisse. In the Race 4 Ian Grants Caravans BM64 Handicap (1000m), Jungle Sensation won the sprint to the line. The five-year-old mare has been in impressive touch, winning three of its last four starts and placing in all four. Arkitika won the Race 5 Hydro Australia BM64 Handicap (1600m), getting the job done ahead of Claidheamh and Hollywood Park, ridden by Luke Nolen of Black Caviar fame. Race 6 was the Bottlemart Moe Mile BM78 Handicap (1600m), and was won by Sharper for local trainer Mick Templeton. Again, a small field left only three runners for the race, but spectators were treated to a good finish nonetheless, with the four-year-old gelding winning by half-a-length to make it back-to-back victories. Race 7 was the Ladbrokes Moe Cup, while two more races were held to round out the meeting. Parisian Dancer won the Race 8 Moe Optical ‘Royal Snack’ BM70 Handicap (2050m) before Do Ya Punk got a win for prominent trainer Peter Moody in the Race 9 Moe Nextra Sprint BM78 Handicap (1200m). In a boost for Moe Racing Club, the Cup was not the only race to carry significant prize money. The Moe Optical ‘Royal Snack’ was valued at $50,000, the Moe Nextra Sprint at $60,000 and the Bottlemart Moe Mile at $60,000.
Photo captions
Sharper wins Race 6 on Moe Cup Day for Trafalgar trainer Mick Templeton. (Photo: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)
Sharper in the mounting yard with Mick Templeton after securing victory in the Moe Mile. (Photo: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)
Trafalgar’s Nicole Power, Moe’s Evvy Hortis and Garfield’s Catherine Boraston enjoyed the Moe Cup. (Photo: Liam Durkin)
A good crowd came to Moe Racing Club for the Moe Cup. (Photo: Liam Durkin)
At 22, former Trafalgar cricketer Nicole Faltum became the youngest captain in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) following official announcements that the Gippslander will head the Melbourne Stars for the upcoming WBBL|08 season.
If you don’t already know the name Nicole Faltum, you soon will.
Faltum has come a long way since playing junior cricket with the boys teams at Trafalagar Cricket Club, signing with the Melbourne Stars in 2017, representing Victoria in the Women’s National Cricket League and being named in the Australia A squad for its series against England A earlier this year.
Last week, she added another dot point to her resume, becoming the fifth player to lead the Melbourne Stars after Meg Lanning, Kristen Beams, Elyse Villani and Erin Osborne.
In light of the announcement and the WBBL Moe Festival next month, Faltum returned home, sharing the news with students from Moe South Street Primary School, Latrobe Valley mayor Kellie O’Callaghan, and former primary school teacher John Duck.
While cricket bats and balls preoccupied Moe’s youngest learners, Faltum took the opportunity to shed light on the impending WBBL season and her captaincy of the Melbourne Stars.
“It is such an honour to be able to captain the Melbourne Stars; I’m so stoked,” Faltum said.
“I’m pretty nervous if I’m being honest, but it’s really exciting.
“Never really thought that it (captaining) was something that I would do, it was never really something I wanted to do, but I just found myself doing it more and more.
“I love leading, and leadership is quite important to me, so to be able to do that, especially for the Melbourne Stars, is incredible; it’s so cool.
“Especially coming from Traf, I just think that’s really special.”
Trafalgar Cricket Club has a special place in Faltum’s heart, with the new Melbourne Star captain accrediting her success to the club and former coaches Sean Cameron and Christian Burgess. “I owe a big thank you to Traf; they have been amazing,” Faltum said.
“Also, to my old coaches Sean Cameron and Burgo, I wouldn’t be where I am without those two.” Christian will be proud as punch, having now coached a WBBL captain and AFL footballer (St Kilda’s Leo Connolly).
Cooper Burgess, son of Christian, was once described as the best bowler Faltum had kept to, but has since lost that place, it would seem.
“He is definitely one of the funniest bowlers I have ever kept to,” Faltum said, laughing.
“We used to call him the frog in the blender.”
Women’s cricket continues to evolve, having grown exponentially in the past five years.
With Gippslanders Nicole Faltum captaining the Melbourne Stars and Sophie Molineux captaining rival team Melbourne Renegades, Faltum is hopeful for an even brighter future for women in cricket, especially in regional areas.
Falutm’s passion for cricket and the love of her hometown only adds to her excitement for the first-time arrival of the WBBL in Gippsland with the WBBL Moe Festival at Ted Summerton Reserve across Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20.
“Melbourne areas and metropolitan areas get exposed to it (women’s cricket) so much more than country regions,” Faltum said.
“So to come back here and play in a region where young boys and girls don’t get exposed to lots of female sport, I think, is so important.
“Not only for the young girls to be able to watch it, but for the young boys to watch females play professional sport, here in Moe, is going to be so cool.”
Photo captions
New Melbourne Stars captain and former Trafalgar cricketer Nicole Faltum.
Nicole during her playing days with Trafalgar Cricket Club.
