New coach, new committee, new season, new clubrooms, new players - get on board

Moonee Valley Cricket Club enters the 2019/20 season on a roll - with a new coach, a revamped committee, our new $2.5 million showcase clubrooms, new players and a determination to get the job done.
And if YOU want to be part of it, get on board now!
We've got:
*  New coach Tony Gleeson (right), who oversaw Carlton's Premier Cricket flag in 2018/19 as First Eleven team manager.
*  A new and revamped committee running our club, with new members Liam Shaw and Joshua Gorry.
*  Our $2.5 million new clubrooms - sure to be the envy of every other club in the region.
*  New players - including Carlton Fourth Eleven premiership captain Sam Walker; Jacana club champion Sameera Vithana, Sri Lankan import Suraj Weerasinghe, and Sri Lankan international Nadeera Thuppahi, who starred at Moonee Valley several seasons ago.
*  A core of returning players to build a First Eleven team around, including captain Jack Newman and Sri Lankan first class player Shiwantha Kumara.
*  A group of exciting teens from our junior program, already pushing high into our senior grades.
There's a real buzz around Ormond Park.
Coach Tony Gleeson is keen for players to be challenged, so there are plenty of opportunities for more new players to come on board and push for spots.
So anyone keen to come down to - or come back to - Moonee Valley should phone Tony Gleeson on 0427 043 891, Vice President Mark Gauci on 0457 778 335 or President Charlie Walker on 0411 705 381. You can also email us at mooneev@club.cricketvictoria.com.au

Our 2018/19 AGM and new Committee 

***For details, click HERE

Premier-ship power comes to the Valley
 

Moonee Valley Cricket Club is delighted to announce the signing of Carlton Fourths premiership captain Sam Walker.
Sam played for four seasons for the Premier club, leading them to the Grand Final in three of them - with his final season in 2017/18 taking out the flag.
Sam played last season in Bendigo, which is where he grew up, but remained living in Melbourne and is keen to rejoin new coach Tony Gleeson at Moonee Valley.
At right: Our latest signing: (from left) Carlton premiership captain Sam Walker, with coach Tony Gleeson and president Charlie Walker.
Tony was at Carlton for 12 seasons, part of that time as Chairman of Selectors and most recently as team manager of the First Eleven. He was in that role when Carlton won the Firsts premiership in 2018/19.
Sam's Fourths flag in 2017/18 was a drought-breaker, as first two-day Premiership in 37 years. 
A wicketkeeper/batsman, Sam will provide much-needed experience and advice alongside Moonee Valley's Firsts captain Jack Newman.
Tony said he was delighted to be working with Sam again, and said it would help enhance the professionalism around the Club.
Moonee Valley vice-president Mark Gauci said there was a buzz around the club with the signing, and with the likelihood of more overseas and quality local players coming on board as a result of Tony's appointment.
Anyone keen on playing for Moonee Valley in 2019/20 should ring Mark Gauci on 0457 778 335 or Charlie Walker on 0411 705 381.



OUR NEW PAVILION - THE LONG WAIT IS OVER!

More than a decade of frustration, stalled planning and dashed hopes finally came to an end when the new $2.5 million Ormond Park pavilion was officially opened on May 3.
Moonee Valley Mayor Narelle Sharpe cut the ribbon to signify the pavilion was handed over to the cricket and football clubs, with an arch of black and white balloons a triumphant backdrop.
The Friday evening opening perfectly showcased the Moonee Valley Football and Cricket clubs, and with the Auskick kids and parents packing the oval, the opening crowd swelled beyond 1000 - and all were impressed.
Cr Jim Cusack, who has been an unrelenting advocate for the new clubrooms, spoke at the opening, after Mayor Sharpe opened proceedings.
Council CEO Bryan Lancaster, Cricket Club president Charlie Walker and Football Club president Jason Helwig also spoke as part of the official party.
In his speech, Charlie Walker acknowledged the efforts of cricket premiership co-captain and football secretary Brett Curran and Cr Nicole Marshall. Cr Cusack and Cr Marshall championed the need for the new pavilion from the moment they did a walk-through in November 2015 and fully realised how unsuitable the old facility was for our two clubs.
At left: Cutting the ribbon: L-R Cricket president Charlie Walker, Cr Samantha Byrne, Mayor Narelle Sharpe, CEO Bryan Lancaster, Cr Jim Cusack and football president Jason Helwig.
One of the highlights - which many in the crowd went up to see - was the new upstairs scorer's box, with its air conditioning and room for more than a dozen people. It's got a definite future as a corporate box on occasions, looking right over the bowler's arm at the northern end.
The new and expanded canteen is also a highlight, as was the catering on the night, organised by Tracey Larobina and a dedicated crew of football supporters.
Moonee Valley cricket and football legend Ian Denny has organised Life Member Committees for both clubs, and is leading a joint fundraising push to fit out the new pavilion, which has already supplied catering equipment and new TVs and entertainment equipment.
At left: Three proud Life Members who remember back to the days of the old "Dungeon" pavilion in the 1980s - two pavilions removed from now. L-R Sandro Capocchi, Greg Peters and Club founder Ray Storey.
Moonee Valley Cricket Club was very proud to welcome so many Life Members to the opening, led by Club founder Ray Storey, down from Leitchville for the occasion.
Other Life Members were Greg Peters, John Talone, Darren Nagle, Mark Gauci, Matt Thomas, Jim McKenzie, Sandro Capocchi, Ian Sutherland, Joe Ansaldo, Jim Polonidis, Ian Denny, Bob Sciacchitano, Michael Cumbo, Dean Jukic, Kevin Gardiner, Jesse Felle and Charlie Walker.
A big contingent of current players, past players, supporters and families also did our cricket club proud - as did the football club.
All got the opportunity to see through the new pavilion. The social space is 194 square metres - almost three times the space of the old pavilion. In his speech Charlie acknowledged the decision by the Council on the back of advocacy from Cr Cusack to fund tables and 70 chairs - ensuring the social area is a comfortable and welcoming space.
At right: Old times: L-R Joe Ansaldo, Jim Polonidis, and two of the regulars from the last Moonee Valley women's cricket teams, Kim Johnston and Victoria Thorneycroft.
There are four changerooms - the front rooms can be opened up into one big room for Moonee Valley. They provide the capacity for separate changing areas for women - one of the drawbacks when Moonee Valley last had women's teams - and we're working towards the reintroduction of women's cricket for the 2019/20 season.
***For more photos from the opening, click HERE
***To see the walk-through during construction featuring Complete Stainless Steel, click HERE

    Main Club contact details:

* Charlie Walker - President/Secretary 0411 705 381; 9370 1802
* Peter Golding - Treasurer 0419 009 721
* Mark Gauci - Vice President 0457 778 335
* Peter Pickering - Junior Co-ordinator 0414 800 145  pjp@vicbar.com.au 
* Channa DeSilva - Membership Co-ordinator 0402 833 592

Email: mooneev@club.cricketvictoria.com.au


For more contacts, see " Office bearers & Officials " under "Club News & Info" at the top of the page

Last updated: August 22, 2019.
For more of our history, including our Premierships, click HERE