Former Dandenong Cricket Club president Ross Hepburn (pictured) has passed the presidency to Michael Findlay. After 11 years at the helm, Hepburn was awarded life membership.By Glen Atwell
THE winds of change are blowing through Dandenong Cricket Club.
A new president and a group of young stars are readying the club for a big year both on and off the field.
Former president Ross Hepburn received the club’s highest individual honour, being awarded life membership at the recent annual general meeting.
After 11 years at the helm of the proud club, Hepburn has passed the presidency baton to Michael Findlay.
Hepburn said the past decade has flown.
“It has gone so quickly, and we have experienced some terrific success,” he said.
In his final president’s report, Hepburn paid tribute to the star cricketers who had passed through the club in the past decade.
“I’m proud to measure the club’s success not by counting premiership flags or championship cups, but by the number of young men who have had the opportunity to develop their cricket and life skills by playing at Dandenong,” Hepburn said.
He said older clubs with an array of premiership flags often come and scoop up the cricketing talent moulded at Shepley Oval.
“Flags on the wall can come from clubs simply pinching players from other clubs.
“But it’s about who developed and coached those players to a stage where other clubs want them,” he said.
Incoming president Findlay said it was important that the club build on the strong relationships it has with its playing group.
“If players feel a strong passion for the club, they won’t consider leaving, it’s as simple as that,” Findlay said.
Asked how the club would do this, Findlay said providing adequate framework to accommodate developing players was important.
“Offering some top-level coaching is one way and we believe we have some great coaching talent at the club,” Findlay said.
Findlay, a Dandenong resident with an accountancy business, said the club was setting achievable goals this season.
“We want to make the finals and build towards winning the first XI premiership within the next couple of years,” he said.
Club coach and former state batsman Warren Ayres is back for his fourth season and was full of praise for Hepburn’s integral role at the club.
“Ross had a great deal of influence when I was recruited to the club from Melbourne.
“He’s always provided for the club, Ross is a genuine stalwart of the Dandenong Cricket Club,” Ayres said.
On the field, Ayres said the club was in full swing for the upcoming season.
“We are training three nights a week, two skills sessions and one fitness,” he said.
Ayres, who topped the first XI batting average last season with an average of 33.55, said there was a number of promising young players coming through the ranks.
“Kumar Sarna is one to watch, he is a 16-year-old, played in the final match last season and made 43 against St Kilda,” Ayres said.
Sarna high-scored in the second XI last year, smashing 152 against Frankston-Peninsula in round 16.
The season hits off on 1 October.
