Horsham Cricket Association leaders talk season 2021/22, vaccines and who is the team to beat.

A new look board with new faces in charge has given the Horsham Cricket Association a different look going into season 2021/22.

To get the latest on the how the season is shaping up, the Wimmera Mail-Times sat down with Josh Mahoney, Horsham Cricket Association president, and Josh Miller, secretary of the HCA.

How did you get involved in Wimmera cricket?

Mahoney: I've been playing cricket for as long as I can remember. Saturday afternoons were spent at my dad's games with my grandpa and our extended family. I joined Laharum when I moved to town in 2012.

Miller: I've got 3 kids that are mad for cricket so it makes sense that I can give a bit back through my role in the association. We moved to Horsham 6 years ago and the kids were straight into it. I helped out coaching where I could and joined the HCA board last season. It's been great to help.move the game forward with the other guys in the past 2 years.

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What is the best part about country cricket?

Mahoney: I love country cricket. There's a lot of banter on the field and then at the end of the game you all sit around and have a drink. We all know each other so it's great fun. I think that's just cricket in general.

Miller: The sense of community and club, and junior country weeks are great fun.

What is the best part of your role in the HCA?

Mahoney: Its good to be able to help the game grow and share the love I have for the game with others.

Miller: Progressing the game in the region and helping it grow. There's alot of talented cricketers around here and we.want them to.have an opportunity to play at the highest level they can.

What have preparations been like heading into this season?

Mahoney: Been a good start with the new board. Some good discussions about where the game is going and what we can do to facilitate the growth of cricket in Horsham

The delayed start due to covid has given us some extra time just to bed everything down.

What did the planning process entail?

Mahoney: A lot of things carry over from season to season, so it's just a matter of liaising with the clubs and the councils to make sure we've got the resources we need to make the season happen.

What's new in 2021/22?

Mahoney: A grade one day games will be 45 over matches again, using white balls. All A grade teams have coloured kits so it should look pretty good.

We'll also be live streaming a match each week on our YouTube channel and Facebook

What has been the messaging around vaccine mandates?

Mahoney: We received guidance from cricket Victoria last week that players do not need to be vaccinated to play cricket this summer. To enter clubrooms, vaccination may be required though.

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What was the thinking about going back to a one-off grand final?

Mahoney: Going back to one off gives us a spare week in the case of weather. Last year we had the semi finals washed out and no spare weeks up our sleeve. This gives us more options.

How do you feel about another season of one dayers?

Mahoney: We're just happy that we can play cricket, no matter what the format. There are pros and cons to all forms of the game, but in these time we just have to be grateful for what we have.

What has been the buy-in from the clubs like?

Mahoney: There's been an increase in the total number of senior sides, which is positive, while junior numbers remain strong. It's not too late for anyone to join a club though.

Miller: People in general are pretty keen to get out and be involved in the community again so interest leading into this season has been huge.

How are the juniors shaping up?

Mahoney: Similar numbers to last season. Trialling a few 40 over matches in the under 16s, just to give those bigger kids the opportunity to bat longer and bowl more overs. Playing those games on sundays, which also removes the over restrictions on those who play senior cricket too.

Miller: Junior numbers are looking strong. We have clubs entering teams in age groups where previously they didn't have a side so the growth is promising. We also have positive early indication from other regions and associations that our under-15 country week (in first week of January) will be well attended in Horsham.

What are the match-ups to look out for this season?

Mahoney: It'll be interesting in the A grade, if the Bullants and West Wimmera still come out on top and how some of the young guns at Rup, Minyip and Homers perform. Apparently Jung have some new players as well to watch out for.

Miller: I'm looking forward to seeing how Noradjuha-Toolondo defend their premiership and how West Wimmera respond to grand final defeat. They look like the two sides to beat again.

The Horsham Cricket Association 2021/22 A-grade season kicks off on Saturday at 1pm, when West Wimmera take on Rup-Minyip at Davis Park in Nhill, while the Homers host Jung at City Oval.

In the B grade, Blackheath-Dimboola host Rup-Minyup in Dimboola, while the Colts take on Lubeck-Murtoa at Dudley Cornell Park and the Tigers host the Saints.

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