Valley boys make 2005/06 rep squads

Valley boys make 2005/06 rep squads

A number of Moonee Valley boys have been selected in the representative squads for the north-west region for 2005/06. And others are in “first emergency” squads, where they will continue to be under notice.

Our under 16s player Iraklis Kolokithas is in the Preliminary training squad to commence the U/16 Dowling Program in the September School Holidays.

As well as the 2004/05 Under 16s, Ira played for most of the season in the Moonee Valley seniors as well – mainly in the Fourths, but also a game in the Thirds and a hit in the one-day squads.

Two of our boys – Chris Stafford and John O’Brien – h ave also been selected in the Wizards 2005 Under 15 squad, for a match and coaching program in the Term 3 holidays.

This is a reward for good performances at both club and association rep competitions during the 2004/05 season. The program for this squad will involve an intra-squad match followed by 2 days of specialist coaching. Cricket Victoria’s Gary Sanders said the incentive for the players is that the best performed boys will be invited into the preliminary U/16 Wizards Dowling Shield squad for trials, coaching and matches. From that squad will be selected 13 players to represent Region 10 in the State U/16 Dowling Shield Commonwealth Bank Championships in January 2006.

Bede Gannon has been selected in a secondary Under 15 squad that will also play an intra-squad dual pitch match in the Term 3 holidays. These players will receive individual coaching and be set personal challenges during the match from accredited Region coaches.

The U/13 Region 10 Wizards squad for 2005/06 includes Sam O’Brien. The squad will play an intra-squad match and have 2 days of specialised coaching during the first week of the Term 3 school holidays, and the best-performed players will be invited into the Under 14 squad for further coaching and matches.

Region 10 has also selected a preliminary “emergencies” list of approximately 30 players who will receive an invitation to play in an Under 13 intra squad dual pitch match also during the Term 3 holidays, and Moonee Valley is represented in this squad by Robert Ball, Sam Coventry-Poole and James Johnston.