Gretna juniors celebrate first season

THE Gretna Cricket Club juniors finished off their season with a trophy day at Gretna last Saturday. The juniors enjoyed some cricket, followed by a barbecue and then the presentation trophies and certificates by Stuart Schultz from Cricket Tasmania and Gretna senior players Rhys Browning and Tom Allcock. Mr Shultz presented the club with a cricket bat which is signed by the members of the 2010-11 Tasmanian Cricket Team. The club was very grateful for this, particularly with the Tasmanian team going on to win the shield final.

It has been an exciting time for the Gretna club this season, fielding junior sides for the first time. With 37 juniors playing this season, it gives the club a great future. Every player had a ball and all have shown great improvement, which was just terrific. A little hard work and dedication goes a long way. I would like to thank all parents and family members for bringing the kids to training and games.

Planning started during last season to establish junior cricket at the club. It's been a real team effort from the committee. Seeing the two teams play their first games, which were at Gretna, was very rewarding. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have helped along the way to make the juniors become a reality:

• Club treasurer Ben Shaw: Your involvement has been second to none, securing sponsorship for the juniors, organising the new tops and the many other jobs that went into getting the juniors off the ground. The support you have given right from the start has been fantastic.
• Senior captain Ben Rainbird: As always, working hard behind the scenes. Your involvement and support has been excellent.   
• Darren Stevenson, Owen Browning and Bruce Emery:  A very big thank you for the time and effort you have put into coaching the kids. It is very much appreciated, not only from the club but from the parents as well.
• Kevin Williams, Jarrod Nossiter and Andrew Salter: Thanks for looking after the scoring throughout the season. A top job, fellas.
• Todd Jarvis and Brodie Gleeson: Thanks for coming along with me to the schools to do clinics and promote the junior concept. This really got the word around.
• Club president Peter Rainbird: Thanks for your assistance and for having the ground in top condition throughout the season - a job well done.
• Senior players: Your assistance at training and matches has been great. It won't be too long until the juniors will be pressing for your spots in the senior sides.
• Annie McKenzie and Natasha Farrow: Well done and thank you for the work with the Milo "in2cricket" kids. This pathway is the first step into our junior cricket teams.
• Thank you also to Roger and Dean Hay and Celia Carver for offering to help out when needed. If I have missed anyone, I really do apologise.   

Finally to you all our junior players: without you all, this wouldn't have been possible. Thank you and I hope to see you all back next season. Our Kids - Our Future.

WADE GLEESON