Footscray United Cricket Club vice president Daniel Melican has received two awards at Cricket Victoria’s 2022-23 Community Cricket Awards, being named the Young Leader of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
The Altona Sports Cricket Club also received an award for Junior Initiative Program of the Year for their fully-funded junior outreach program which sees underprivileged juniors in the area be able to play the game at no cost.
Held annually, the Community Cricket Awards celebrated contributions which develop cricket at all levels through schools, clubs and by highlighting exceptional service to key areas of participation.
Melican said Footscray United had gone from strength to strength recently, from fighting for relegation for three years straight from 2016-2019 and recently winning back to back premierships in the First XI.
“I have been a part of Footscray United Cricket Club since I was three years old when I began Milo cricket,” he said.
“I have been helping out around the club since I was 12.”
Melican said he has only ever wanted to see the club succeed.
“Footscray United has meant everything to me,” he said.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be recognised for this award.
“However, I’m only a small part of the volunteers at Footscray United.”
Melican said the club were aiming to start a youth program soon.
“The club also hopes to look into women’s teams in the near future,” he said.
“The thing that drives me as a volunteer and a leader is to know that I’m helping contribute to getting the club on the pitch every week.”
Altona Sports Cricket Club junior president Dean Bryden said the club’s outreach program had seen a significant growth, especially within young girls, who made up 30 per cent of participants.
“I hope it will be one of the biggest junior programs in the western suburbs,” he said.
