Tara Murray
New Altona coach Aaron Whear sees great potential in the playing list of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association club.
Whear, who has played more than 200 subbies first XI games, was recently named as coach to replace James Grubb.
Whear, who has played at the As in recent seasons, brings an extensive playing and coaching record, including as senior coach at Point Cook and Altona North.
The man himself said he believes that he can play a role in helping with the development of the playing group by providing structure and helping to set clear expectations around training and playing standards.
“My main focus for the coming season is on improving our training standards, which probably like a lot of clubs dropped away during the last two seasons largely as a result of COVID interruptions,” he said.
“In terms of game day, I want us to earn the respect of the competition and be known as a “hard to play against in every grade”.
Whear said he didn’t want to make any predictions where they would finish this season. He said with a good group of players they had potential to play some good cricket.
“We have three current players who I believe are capable of making the team of the year if they can re-capture their very best form,” he said. “These players are Adam Yates, James Grubb and Shannon Clarke.
“The rest of our improvement needs to come from the continued development of our younger players who have been blooded in the firsts over the last two seasons.
“Last year the club saw 1st XI debuts from the following players who range in age between 17 and 21 – Fawwaz Abdul Sathaar, Cooper Mitchell, Connor Brown, Tom McConville and Kayden Whear.
“The previous season it was Matthew Turcinovich, Matthew Grubb and Callum Hands. It is now up to these young guys to take their game to the next level if we are going to be as competitive as I would like us to be.”
The club has also looked to recruit, signing three English imports. Whear said Arche Scott has the potential to be in the same bracket as Grubb, Yates and Clarke. They also attracted some former players back to the club.
“Archie Scott is an genuine all rounder who will bat in the top 5 in the 1st XI and bowl really good leg spin,” Whear said.
“Charlie Ward is a quick bowler and Luke Medlock is a middle order batsman who also bowls medium pace.
“In addition we look like having five or five former players who did not play last season come back to the club.
“All of these players have played 1st or 2nd XI cricket at the club previously, so they will really help with our depth and pressure for spots which should help drive better training and game day standards.”
Whear is also excited about the redevelopment of the training facilities, saying the club’s synthetic nets had gone from probably the worst in the competition cricket to the best over the winter.
