Pictured here are the five recently-appointed captains who, with their coach, have each been assigned the lofty task of taking the Old Paradians’ Cricket Club forward into 2018/19.

They are from left, Dale Leslie (third XI), President Matthew Del Mastro (second XI), Shaun Barker (first XI), Michael Cocks (club coach), Joshua Di Giuseppe (fourth XI) and Millon Landers (fifth XI).

Speaking for the group, Coach Cocks said the Old Paradians have emerged from what was a particularly trying season both on and off the paddock.

“Last year was a tough year with a lot of changes at the club,” Michael said.

“We lost up to eight players from our first XI and second XI and with a new coach and executive it was a new learning experience for all involved. Our seconds and thirds made the Semi-Finals but unfortunately our firsts were relegated from the Barclay Shield to the Money Shield.

“We had five junior teams compete and we had three teams make finals, with our Under 12 first XI team crowned premiers, so from a junior perspective it was a positive year with a range of talent coming through the junior grades putting the club’s future in a great position.”

With the season looming, the club has managed to enlist the services of 16 new and old players, meaning that the Old Paradians now field five senior teams having previously fielded four.

“Although we were relegated this gives us a great opportunity to rebuild,” Michael said. “We have attracted some good young talent and some experience back to the club which will help make us very competitive in the top grade and successful in the lower grades. I’m very excited at what this club can achieve for Season 2018/19.

“We have five junior sides from Under 10s to Under 16s, on top of a Woolworths in2cricket program and we are excited to see some more junior cricketers starting to filter through into senior cricket this season.”

Senior preseason training has commenced. Sessions are held at 7.00pm-8.00pm on Wednesdays and from 10.00am–11.00am on Sundays at Cutting Edge, Bundoora.

Boys and girls between the ages of five and seven are welcome to sign on for the Woolworths Junior Blasters program. More information can be found by accessing www.playcricket.com.au and searching for Old Paradians Cricket Club.

Anyone interested in joining the Old Paradians Cricket Club as a senior or junior player is urged to contact Coach Michael Cocks on 0409 404406 or Junior Co-Ordinator Karen McGinty on 0417 522595.