Tara Murray
New Plenty Valley coach Scott McNaughton wants to continue the club’s focus on youth and providing the best pathway in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.
The Bats announced that McNaughton would be head coach of the club’s men’s program this year, replacing Michael Rogneda.
McNaughton is a level 3 high performance accredited coach with Cricket Australia, has coached the Japanese international teams and coached at Victorian Premier Cricket level in Victoria and Tasmania.
More recently he has been head of fellow VSDCA side Ivanhoe.
McNaughton said he was excited by the new opportunity.
“It’s really exciting,” he said. “The club is well set up with a well organised committee.
“Everything is well aligned and they’re primed for success.”
McNaughton said the club’s focus on ensuring young players had opportunities to play at high levels was one of the big things that attracted him to the club.
He said there was massive upside at the club.
“I’ve been coaching for quite a while,” he said. “I guess for me the development and helping a club head in the right direction.
“Plenty Valley are keen on developing young players and creating a pathway for the players to play premier cricket.”
McNaughton said that Rogneda had done a massive load of work in this direction and he would look to take the high standards that he had set and carry them on.
He said that Rogneda was returning to premier cricket this season.
Joining McNaughton in the coaching ranks for the Bats are James Plunkett, who has been named chairman of selectors and assistant coach, and Daniel Heatley, who has been appointed assistant coach.
McNaughton said it was good to have two experienced guys with a good connection to the club.
“We’re all on the same page with what we want to achieve,” he said.
While the Bats are focused on young talent, they are keen to add some experience around them to give support.
McNaughton said they are talking to players about joining the club, making sure they are not only the right player, but wanting to join the club for the right reason.
The Bats finished last season in 10th spot with five wins.
McNaughton said they were keen to return to finals action.
“One great thing about the club, they want to have success,” he said. “They strive for success.
“They have a culture of winning and I want to continue that. The big thing is we’ll provide opportunities for the young guys and add some experience to push to for the top six and into finals.”
