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Our Captains for this season

Moonee Valley Cricket Club has announced its captains for season 2009/10.

Mark Gauci (top left) is skipper of our First Eleven for his fourth season, after leading Moonee Valley into a Grand Final in the VTCA North B Division last season.

Our Senior coach Lou Raffaele has accepted the role of captain of the Second Eleven, with a brief to get some leadership experience into young players pushing up into that grade.

Dino Sapuppo (top right) is captain of the Thirds again this season, after captaining the side into a Grand Final in the C Turf competition in the Moreland Moonee Valley Cricket Association.

Brett Curran (right, third from top) is leading the Fourths - our highest-graded team in the North West Cricket Association - and in his fourth season as skipper hopes to go all the way after leading his team into three finals series.

Life Member Dan Terzini (left) has been reappointed captain of our Fifths - his second year in succession as skipper of the B Mats team and his third season overall as a team leader.

Last year's co-captain of our Sevenths, Ryan Fairclough (right, second from top) has stepped back to two-day cricket as captain of the Sixths, with a brief to bring along and develop some of the talented players coming through our junior ranks.

Sunny Sharma (bottom right) is combining work commitments with cricket as a one-day skipper in our Seventh Eleven, and the role will give him enough flexibility to get the work/sport balance right.

Wicketkeeper Allan Cumming (bottom left) has been appointed captain of the Eighths. A real all-rounder, Allan has kept across a number of grades over the years, including a game on turf in the Thirds when he played his 50th match.

John Martiniello is skipper for the second year in the Tenths - our father/son team playing Sunday home games in the North West Cricket Association.

We are still finalising the role of captain in our Ninths.

Amit Chaudhary, now in his third year at Moonee Valley and a key player in our First Eleven, has accepted the role of Chairman of Selectors.

Last season's captains of our women's teams, Sam Marr and Tien Ha, are again in charge as our two leaders.

Go Fourth and multiply, says Brett
Moonee Valley has recognised consistency of performance over three seasons by promoting our NWCA two-day team to carry the mantle as our Fourth Eleven.

Club coach Lou Raffaele said the performances, which include finals each year, merited the promotion.

The team will continue to play in the NWCA Barron Shield, but will carry the badge of being regarded as our top matting team.

Our MMVCA B Mats team will now be designated our Fifths, while our C Mats team will be known as the Sixths.

Team captain Brett Curran (left) said he and his regular core group of players were proud that the Club's decision recognised their commitment and determination.

"This group of players has been performing at a consistently high level for  a number of years now," Lou said.

"Last season they set a new Club record across all grades of 3/475. It is only proper that they be rewarded in the order of our teams."

Twenty-one Moonee Valley players ventured down to Bairnsdale on the September 12/13 weekend for two practice matches against the Lucknow Cricket Club.
Lucknow prevailed in both games, but they were good hit-outs for Moonee Valley.
We're planning to build on our relationship with Lucknow and hold pre-season practice matches each year, and Lucknow has already offered to host the 2010 games.
**************For more detail on our weekend away, see the link to our News pages above.

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Tony Sherer announced as our women's coach

Moonee Valley is pleased to announce the appointment of Tony Sherer as coach of our women's teams for season 2009/10.
Tony, who has been a frontline bowler with our Sixth Eleven for the past two seasons, takes over the coaching role from Tony Gleeson, who has been appointed Chairman of Selectors of Premier cricket club Carlton.
Tony Sherer (right) said he was excited at the opportunity to play a major role in the development of our women's teams, which have shown solid improvement in our two seasons in the VTCA.
He is already working out a program to build on the progress from past seasons, and training has now started.
The Club is seeking new players for our women's teams in 2009/10 to ensure we have a balanced roster.
Our teams play one-day games, and there are spots for beginners who have never previously played, right through to experienced cricketers. We also encourage women who aren't able to commit to the full 16-week season, but who are keen to play at least half of the games.
Anyone wanting more information should ring MVCC Committee member and women's player Kim Johnston on 0428 575 837 or Club President Charlie Walker on 0409 237 543.

Juniors can still sign up to play

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Valley's get set for a big season
Intending or potential new players can ring coach Lou Raffaele on 0433 854 549 or president Charlie Walker on 9370 1802 or 0409 237 543.
Regular Tuesday and Thursday sessions are on at Ormond Park, with a 4.30pm start until daylight savings starts.
For more details and other important information about our Club, click on the link here to our senior Newsletter.

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We're the mighty Moonee Valley - the biggest cricket club in Victoria!
Moonee Valley is officially Victoria's biggest cricket club. Our North West Region's Cricket Victoria Cricket Manager, Stuart Clark has advised that with the 26 teams we fielded in 2008/09, we're officially the State's biggest.
Stuart advised that the club census carried out by Cricket Victoria earlier in the season established us as the team on top.
MVCC president Charlie Walker (left) said it was a big feather in the cap for our Club, given our phenomenal growth over the past eight years.
"In 2007/08 Cricket Victoria advised that we were one of the four biggest clubs going around," Charlie said.
"Now, with an extra two teams added last season, we're the biggest club. Each week during the season we put some 300 men, women and juniors on the park.
"In 2008/09 we fielded 10 men's teams, two women's teams and 14 junior teams. It's a fantastic result for a fantastic Club. We retain our commitment to ensuring we have teams and spots available for anyone who wants to play for the Moonee Valley Cricket Club.
"We're already looking towards an exciting 2009/10 season, and having the honor of being Victoria's biggest club gives us extra impetus.
"We're officially the biggest Club. We want to make sure we do everything to enable us to also call ourselves the best Club," Charlie said.

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Our 2008/09 Valley Wisdens:
Look here now for all the detail!
Our 2008/09 Senior and Junior Wisdens are both here on our website now.
To read our Senior Wisden - 80 pages jam-packed with facts, figures and statistics, click here. You'll read all about the excellent season of Sean O'Kane (right), who was selected one of our five Wisden Cricketers of the Year for 2008/09 and also made the Moonee Valley Wisden Team of the Year.
And here's our Junior Wisden for 08/09.