Tara Murray
Craigieburn has turned to within for its new coach for the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division season.
The Eagles announced on Wednesday that Nathan Pappin had been appointed coach, replacing Chris Laffan, who has been appointed Vanuatu coach.
Pappin said it was a new challenge he was excited for.
“It is good,” he said. “I was keen to get involved and help out the guys and follow on from what Chris did in the past.
“The thought of coaching was always thereabouts. I’ve done a lot of coaching of my daughters in netball and I’ve been an assistant coach a couple of times.
“It’s something that I’ve always been interested in.”
The club announced that Josh Eaton will remain as captain of the first XI side.
Matt English to assist in training and providing a link for the younger group of players transitioning from underage to senior cricket, while Maddy Bisht returns to the club and will take on the role of batting coach across the playing group.
Pappin said they wanted to continue to work on the progress that they’ve had the last couple of years.
The Eagles finished in ninth last season, but were in contention to play finals until the final round.
“The aim is to stay in senior division,” he said. “We want to push for finals, which would be the first time playing finals in senior division.
“We don’t have the bit money of some of the other clubs. We’re all locals who are pushing and trying to stay up there.”
Pappin said there had been a couple of guys who had moved to the area that were keen to come and play cricket at the club.
He said they were hoping the growth of Craigieburn would result in more players coming to the club.
The group had its first session on Monday night.
There will be further announcements about player signings and the women’s coaching role role.
