Cricket clubs swing into action for season start

By Kath Gannaway
THE Yarra Valley Cricket Association senior season commences on Saturday 4 October with a one-day game in four grades.
The junior teams start on 11 October.
New YVCA president Mark Schliefert said the association would field teams from 16 clubs this year.
“The Association is made up of 16 clubs for 2008-2009 season having lost the Yarra Panthers Cricket Club at the end of last season when the club decided to cease operations due to the diversity of the players’ business and living locations.
“We are extremely sorry that this club has not been able to continue as we are at the loss of the Thornton-Eildon Cricket Club, which we took in last season when their previous association disbanded.”
Mr Schliefert said Thornton-Eildon had decided to join the Seymour Cricket Association and that the YVCA wished them well. He said the current season would still see a growth in the YVCA with three new teams entering the D.J. Strachan Shield. Hoddles Creek, Gruyere District and Launching Place United clubs would move up, he said, to create a 12-team grade with 13 rounds made up of one and two-day matches.
“The YVCA Executive Board has been working steadily over the winter months to ensure that all is in readiness for the start,” he said. Mr Schliefert called for the support of players and clubs in the association for all the activities during the season including the usual Inter Association matches in Region 8 and the VCCL Melbourne Country Week.
He also announced a “promotion” for YVCA secretary Keith Thompson.
“This season the YVCA is also pleased to announce that our long-time secretary Keith Thompson was elected as secretary of the Victorian Country Cricket League at their AGM,” he said.
“Keith has been a VCCL Board Member since 1985 and was elected unopposed when long-time secretary Ed Parker retired from the position after 21 very successful years.”
The VVCA executive board for 2008-2009 is made up of Mr Schliefert, Mr Thompson who is also treasurer, senior vice-president Adrian Hammond, junior vice-president Kevin Smith and board members Fiore DiPietro, Kevin Anderson, Greg Mitchell and Mr Brian Williams.