Tara Murray
It’s exciting times ahead for Royal Park Brunswick in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
While it was a disappointing season on field this season, exciting things are happening off the field.
New club rooms which are years in the making are almost complete, while the club is preparing to celebrate its 40th season with a massive function later this year.
President and first XI player Rhys Contessa said that the facilities were set for completion in the next month.
“This is 25 to 30 years in the making,” he said. “It’s an exciting large milestone for the club.
“We have needed new facilities for such a long time. To see them erected and going up it really good.
“With the 40th anniversary taking place later this year, it’s a chance to reflect on the first 40 years of the club.
“The new facilities will hopefully take us into the next phase of the club and give everyone a buzz for the the next period of time.”
Contessa said having the new club rooms opened would be massive for the club.
With COVID and then not having rooms, the club hasn’t had many functions in recent times.
Contessa said the club was really looking forward to celebrating the first 40 years of the club later this year.
He said they would look to recognise some past players at the night. Contessa said they were looking to get in contact with as many past players as possible and encouraged anyone who had lost touch with the club to get in touch.
On field, a poor start to the season proved costly for the first XI, which plays in division 2. The side would finish the season in eighth spot.
“We started the season with five losses, before three wins on the trot and then a couple of losses,” he said.
“We’ve be en consistently inconsistent. We’ve been inconsistent with availability and it impacted us having a consistent season.
“We had 20 to 22 player represent the ones this season. We got some reinforcements at Christmas.
“Englishman Charlie Scott came over for half a season and he gave us a bit of a spark and we were able to find a bit more enjoyment.
“From a club point of view in the end it was about consolidating our spot in division 2 and reset for next year.”
Contessa said they were already focused on recruiting a few players to fill some of the gaps that they have.
He said in recent times they had seen players from a number of different backgrounds come to the club and that was something they would like to continue to build.
Charlie Scott.
