It might take some time to gel, but Gladstone Park thinks it will again be in the mix in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association’s George Luscombe Shield.
Last year’s runners-up have had a few changes on and off field. President Paul Xuereb says the club is looking to build on what’s been achieved in the past few years and will be looking for a top four spot.
John Bubis has been appointed captain-coach and has already made an influence on and off the field.
“He’s 50-years old so he has a lot of captaining and coaching experience and has played at a higher level,” Xuereb said.
“He played with us in our Sunday competition and we got talking to him about this role.
“He started two or three months ago and he’s already done so much work in the off season. We’re glad we’ve got him on board.”
The club has also welcomed Nipuna Fonseka, from Gowanbrae, and Sri Lankan Manoj Deshapriya Abegoda Liyanage Don.
Fellow Sri Lankan Suminda Sampath Yagamuni Mendis, who played last season, has returned.
“We’re happy with where we are, player-wise,” Xuereb said.
“[There are] four to five teams that have been in the mix the last couple of years, and we think it’ll be the same this year.
“John is adamant that we can win a premiership in his first couple of years.”
While winning a premiership is a focus, the club has put a big emphasis on its juniors.
During the off season, the club set up a junior development program to help further the younger players development.
“Most of the time the juniors had been left up to their own devices without a lot of support,” Xuereb said. “When John came in, the vice president came up with the idea to build a junior development program, which included a camp.
“Dervis Duradbegovic [a representative level coach] ran the program. He’s coaching at Greenvale, but he’s still around the club helping us out.”
The club also used $10,000 of its own money to upgrade its facilities and training equipment, in attempts to make the club more family friendly.
On the pitch, the Burras claimed their first win of the season against Burnside Springs on Saturday, batting well to make 3-217.
Burnside Springs took up the challenge but fell short, making 5-211.
Matthew Nyhus took three wickets for the Burras.
In other Luscombe Shield matches, Northern Lions defeated Buckley Park and Donnybrook fell short against Kealba-Green Gully.
