2021/22

Sarah Burton selected to play for the U/15 Female Central Highlands Youth Premier League team

A huge congratulations to Sarah Burton on being selected to play for the U/15 Female Central Highlands Youth Premier League team this January (the State Championships). Sarah is one of the most talented cricketers at our club. She always works extremely hard on improving her game at the club and in her own time to be the best she can be for herself and her team. She currently plays for our U13's and U15's teams. She also was invited recently to join the Geelong Women's Premier League Puma Squad (12-15years old). We are super proud of you Sares, keep on working hard and following your dreams!

A huge congratulations
to Sarah Burton for her efforts at the U/15 Female Youth Premier League (State Championships) playing for Central Highlands over the past week and a half. The team played 7 games in a mixed format of T20 and One Day games, throughout the tournament. After losing the first game then drawing the second, they went on to win the next 5 games (including defeating the competition leader). The Highlanders finished second overall for their pool, just missing out on a spot in the grand-final.
This was Sarah's first time competing at this level and at 12 years old was one of the youngest members of the team.
Not overawed by any of this, Sarah put in some amazing performances throughout the competition, making runs and taking wickets with her spin bowling that got better every game. Sarah was continually challenged by her Coaches, Captain and the opposition. She embraced these challenges and excelled. She even opened the batting in one game and set the perfect platform for her team to build on. She dominated in the field predominantly at short cover (her favourite spot) and displayed the competitiveness, skill and team focus that we have the pleasure of seeing every week at our club in our U13s and u15s mixed teams.
Well done Sares, dream big.

About Us.
The Ballan Cricket Club currently has 2 Senior teams and 4 under age teams competing in the Ballarat Cricket Association for the 2020/2021 season.
Current teams for this season are: Senior 1st XI - BCA 2nd Grade comp , Senior 2nd XI - BCA 4th Grade comp .
And 4 junior teams;
BCA:U17 2nd XI, U15 2nd XI , U11 Seniors & U13 2nd XI Spratling.

Our Under 11's play on Wednesday nights starting at 4.30pm.
Under 13's play on Friday nights starting at 5.00pm.
Under 15 & 17's play on Saturday mornings beginning at 8.30am.

This last season saw another successful season with our Senior 1st XI taking out the Premiership without facing a ball due to Covid 19. Ballan finished on top of the ladder after defeating Wendouree in the Qualifying Final . During the following week a decision was made by the BCA to cancel the remainder of the season thus leaving us as the Premiers.

In 2015/16 season, Cam Dunne won the top award for the 2nd Grade competition, with the Bernie Davey Medal, after Noel Heafield won the same award the previous season. 2018/19 saw Michael Snaith bring home the medal once again for the club.
Michael Snaith continues with the role of captaining our senior 1st XI, with Troy Connor taking on the 2nd XI captaincy with his return to Ballan cricket.
Both sides are, again, under the reins of Senior coach Mick Loughnane.

Under 11 coaches are Jenny Bates assisted by David Leach.
Under 13's have Troy Connor and Anthony McIlwaine as their coaches.

Pink Stumps Day at Darley
(12th Feb)

Our 1st XI (BCA 2nd Grade) will be at Darley on Pink Stumps Day, Saturday 12th of Feb. We are unable to have our own this year due to club-room renovation so please come to support the cause and the team Saturday week. If you wish to donate in advance and get your name on a pink cone, please email our club secretary at sec_ [email protected] or message us here!

Well done Sarah Burton & Clover McIlwaine
Some inspiration for all junior cricketers!
After some injuries in the opening rounds of the U15 Girls YPL, the Highlanders were struggling to have a full squad for the remaining games. A massive thank you to Clover McIlwaine who went from a supporter on Monday to a sub on Tuesday, assisting the team in the field for the next four games, including contributing to a great run out and helping the team get a win against against Metro West Spirit - the eventual YPL Champions. Clover fitted into the team seamlessly, staying with them on campus and attending all squad meetings. Well done Clover, you are always prepared and ready for any opportunity!

BALLAN SENIOR COACH
FOR 2021/22
Ballan Cricket club welcomes Noel Heafield back to the senior coaching role for the up coming season.
Noel is taking over from Mick Loughnane who is stepping in as chairman of selectors.
As our current President, Noel has decided to take on the role again and hopefully follow on from Mick's successes with the team over the past few years.
Since Noel joined the club in 2008 he has played 116 matches taken 120 wickets and made 3479 runs at an average of 37.01.
Noel has also been a Premiership coach and player for Ballan, Dual Club Champion, member of the 'Team of the Modern Era 1970-2015', BCA Batting average winner 2013/14 and Bernie Davey medalist 2014/15.
Again we wish both Noel and Mick the best for the upcoming seasons and look forward to seeing them both out and about at the club.

2021/22 Senior Captain
Ballan Cricket Club would like to welcome Hayden Micallef as our new 1st XI Captain for the 2021/22 season. Hayden will be undertaking this role in his 12th season playing for the Ballan seniors. A three time Premiership player, he has played 107 games scoring 1672 runs and taken 92 wickets during his time with us. Hayden's best bowling figures are currently 5/20. H also won the 2nd XI Champion player for the Ballan club in 2014/15. Hayden has taken over the reins from Michael Snaith. Hayden is very keen to take on the Captain's role and we wish him all the best for the upcoming seasons.

2nd XI Captain for 2021/22
We have another welcome to the leadership group at the Ballan Cricket Club for this season.
Max Burton has taken the reigns as 2nd XI Captain from Troy Connor for the upcoming season.
Max has been involved with the club as a player since 2018/19 and always gives his all both on and off the field. Although only playing 20 games with us, he is a well-respected player and person who the rest of the team and club look up to.
Max, along with Mary, keenly follow both kids, Sarah and James, with their cricket in the junior’s competitions.
This season also sees Max assisting the Junior Coaches
Having taken on the leadership role, Max will be looking at giving his best to his team and club.
Once again welcome Max.

Junior Blasters Coordinator needed

Ballan Cricket Club is seeking a Junior Blasters Coordinator.
This is the program that introduces young, kids aged 5-10 years old, to the basics of cricket in a fun and engaging way that will help them progress to team competitions, if they want to, from 9 onward.
No need to invent the program yourself as the program outlines; game ideas, and support are all available including a short free course to get you started. Parents are required to pitch in also. All resources and equipment are supplied.
More information about the program, training and resources is available with the link below.
www.communinty.cricket.com.au/clubs/participation-programs/woolworths-cricket-blast
Maybe just do it because your own kids are there, but it's also a great place to start if interested in developing coaching skills. No previous skills or experience required.
Program generally runs only part of the season, usually October to December each year, so a short term commitment.
Pleas send enquiries or expressions of interest to [email protected] or call Troy on 0417 144 068.
Expressions of Interest to [email protected]

Government Grants for Ballan Recreation reserve

From Moorabool Shire Council FaceBook page July 1 2021

Ballan Cricket Club, Ballan Football Netball Club and the local community are big winners today with local MP Michaela Settle announcing two State Government grants. Council will receive $98,740 to construct a netted outdoor cricket training facility consisting of three synthetic pitches at Ballan Recreation Reserve. The second grant, of $21,588, will be used by council to install safety nets behind the North end goals at the reserve. The funding is from the Victorian Government's Community Cricket Program and Local Sport Infrastructure Fund. Cr Paul Tatchell and Cr Ally Munari joined Ms Settle at today's announcement.

2021/22
GAME DAY/TRAINING SHIRTS AND SHORTS.
By Ben Loughnane.
Gday everyone this year we are trying something different and using TNF to create some game day/training shirts and shorts for us.
Go to the link to make your order, on the site you choose your size of the shirt and shorts and if you want to add your last name and number to the shirt at no extra cost. Also you can choose if the shirt is long or short sleeve if you choose long it will cost $4 extra.
Once you have ordered you pay for it there then it will get sent to the club once completed and we will hand it out from there.
The site will close on the 12th of September so if anyone doesn’t have your order in by then you will not be able to.
If anyone has any questions just ask.
https://www.tnfcricket.com/ballan-online-store