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PRE-SEASON SENIOR TRAINING:  We're back at Ormond Park every Tuesday now from 4.30pm, and will be back every Thursday from September 16. For more details click on the News Pages tab above and see the relevant news item.

Lou Raffaele is back as our senior coach 
Moonee Valley Cricket Club has reappointed Lou Raffaele as our senior coach for the fourth season.
Lou's reappointment was ratified by the Club Committee following interviews at the North Suburban Club on July 13.
In announcing the reappointment, president Charlie Walker said the Club had shown marked improvement under Lou's leadership - with the top four teams making grand finals in 2009/10 and the Firsts and Seconds winning their flags.
"Stability and communication have been vital in our onfield improvement in recent seasons, and Lou's reappointment will ensure that this continues," Charlie said.
 Lou ( above left) is congratulated by Charlie at the  NSC after the decision.
Lou said he was excited with the next phase in Moonee Valley's development, with our Firsts to play in the North Division in 2010/11 - just one rung below the top, metropolitan-wide division in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
Lou said he was just as excited by the young talent coming through the Club, with seven players aged 18 or under having played off in our Thirds Grand Final team on turf.
Lou is now finalising the pre-season training roster, and it will be posted on the website shortly.
We have not been able to have our return matches against the Lucknow Cricket Club at Bairnsdale this season, as we were unable to find a date that suited both clubs.
***Lou says new players are needed NOW for season 2010/11. Anyone wanting to play for our progressive and successful club, at any level, should ring Lou on 0433 383 387 or Charlie Walker on 0409 237 543. 

Mark Gauci's in charge again as our First Eleven captain
Moonee Valley has reappointed Mark Gauci as our First Eleven captain for 2010/11. Mark captained our Firsts to a Grand Final last season in what was his fifth season in charge, and he now leads us where we've never been before - one division below the top grade in VTCA North Division.
Club Secretary Richard Cooney said Mark (right) has impressed with his plans for the future and his excellent ongoing working relationship with coach Lou Raffaele.
A hard-hitting middle-order batsman, Mark curtailed his natural instincts in the second half of last season, anchoring the innings and accumulating runs.
A typical gritty performance in the Grand Final ensured that we were able to build a score that proved too hard for Werribee Centrals to overcome.
"Mark had excellent credentials as captain and his efforts last year to see us to a premiership make him an excellent reappointment as First Eleven captain at our Club," Richard said.
"With quality leadership already in the team, as was demonstrated by players we interviewed for this position, we are expecting another sound performance this coming season."

Senior Wisden - it's hot off the press and it's
here now!
Our Senior Wisden for season 2009/10 - it's here NOW

**Arosha Perera's one of our five Wisden Cricketers of the Year.
**Raj Aiyappan's another one of our five Wisden Cricketers of the Year.
**Who are the other three? See the Senior Wisden - here now!
Junior Wisden - see it here now!