Rivergum hasn’t searched far for a new coach, appointing Corey Altis to the role for the upcoming season.
Altis takes over the role from Mat Perri, who has been coach since the 2019-20 season.
Altis, who won the Bill McFarlane medal as the North Metro Cricket Association’s best player last season, said he was excited by the opportunity.
He said it would be a smooth transition having already been part of the club for a number of years.
“We finalised the opportunity on Sunday,” he said. “The club backed me to take over the reins.
“It’s my eighth or ninth year now, I’ve been at Rivergum for a while. I’ve got good relationships with the wider group and it makes it an easy transition.
“I want to drive the club forward and develop the juniors who are most important to us. I’ll oversee the whole four senior XIs at Rivergum.
“You never want to jump and change things too much, but I’ll change a few things.”
Perri will remain at the club and will still captain the first XI.
Altis said Perri, a three time McFarlane medallist himself, will still play an important role going forward.
“He has stood down as coach, “ he said. “He’s started a family now and family time is important to him.
“It’ll allow him to be focused on playing and the captaincy for the upcoming season. We back him to lead us on field and it’s important to have him there.”
Altis said the club had already locked in one new signing for next season, with a former junior returning to the club.
He said they were speaking to a couple of other former players about returning, as they look to return to the grand final after missing out the past two seasons.
“The door is always wide open for anyone to come back into the fold.”
While the Kookas have locked in a coach, where they are playing next season is undecided.
One of the more successful clubs in recent history in the NMCA, the club has put in an application to join the Diamond Valley Cricket Association.
Altis said they were still waiting for a decision.
There has been a number of rumours and speculation about the move.
“We are focusing on what we need to do,” he said.”
Tara Murray
