By Tara Murray
Westmeadows Cricket Club coach Tarek Moughanie had no hesitations re-signing with the club.
Moughanie, who joined the Victorian Turf Cricket Association club last season, has been reappointed as head coach for another two seasons.
While the Warriors have been performing on field, it’s the development of the club as a whole, that motivates Moughanie.
“The club is at its healthiest position it’s ever been in,” he said. “In terms of players, personnel and from a junior perspective and the junior club feeding into the seniors.
“We’ve had two women’s sides again this season and we’re looking to have an all-abilities side as well.
“The committee has grown, as a club we’ve grown the number of sides we have. We have signed on a major sponsor, Barry Plant Gladstone Park.
“Anyone of any cricket ability and any background, everyone is welcome.
“It adds value to the whole Westmeadows community.”
Moughanie had an instant impact at the club, leading its top side to two premierships in his first season.
They won what is now known as the Steve McNamara Shield division 2 and the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association T20 competition last season.
Moughanie said the club’s ambition to play at the highest level matched his, and the players were keen to test themselves against the best.
“It’s a true testament of the state of the club,” he said.
“The juniors want to stay at the club and importantly you’ve got everyone wanting to play at the highest level they can.
“At Westy everyone wants to be the best they can and it certainly adds to the culture.
“We have a shared common goal and we make no secret of it, you have to play at the highest level you can.”
Developing the young talented playing group was also a big motivation of staying with the club and Moughanie said there were a number of players coming through juniors and into seniors the next few years.
Moughanie said culture was a big thing at the club and making sure the players had the best facilities and program was part of that.
“We reinvest back into the club,” he said.
“We keep our juniors fees at a reasonable rate, as low as we can. Seniors are the same.
“Money is spent on balls and training gear and making sure the club has all the facilities is a priority for us.”
Another part of the culture, was making sure everyone felt welcome. The club held a Caribbean Christmas event at the weekend, embracing the culture of new recruit Darrel Brown.
The Warriors were due to start their final match before the Christmas break on Saturday against St Francis De Sales.
But the VTCA called off all matches due to heavy rain during the week. The match will be a one-dayer.
