THERE are big plans ahead for the Moree men’s senior cricket season, including a one-day competition honouring former club president, Chris Rowden.

Newly-appointed Moree and District Cricket Association president, Grady Sinclair, said the inaugural Rowdo’s 10s will be played Saturday, October 12, to launch the cricket season at Ron Harborne Oval, with the season proper starting one week later.

The entire Moree community was deeply saddened by Rowden’s death two weeks before Christmas last year.

He was a driving force behind the game in Moree for many years.

“Chris did an amazing job, and everyone involved in the club looked up to him. We were influenced by his leadership during his years as president,” Sinclair said.

“He held the 10-over, 10-a-side competition last year and it was a huge success with four teams registered.

“We aim to have more teams registered this year and will hold the games the week before the pre-Christmas competition kicks off.

“It’s free to nominate and register a team in the Rowdo’s 10s one-day competition,” Sinclair said.

The Moree club stages two competitions – pre-Christmas and post-Christmas.

Last season, a 40-over format was trialled during the pre-Christmas competition, giving representative players an opportunity to play a longer style.

“This year, we’ve decided to go back to 30 overs to focus on our local competition, and hopefully improve team numbers at Saturday cricket,” Sinclair said.

Newly-appointed Moree and District Cricket Association president, Grady Sinclair, with committee members Darren Bourke, Tom Vanderstok (vice-president), Jack Johnson (club treasurer), Matt O’Donnell, Jeff Annis-Brown and club secretary Djordjije Cikota (Image Copyright).

Sinclair said the club’s focus was to get more players on the pitch.

“I think by altering the format slightly to suit players, especially during our hot summer months, we may have the opportunity to once again to get the numbers back to where they have been in the past,” Sinclair said.

The seniors’ Saturday afternoon competition relies heavily on junior players stepping up from morning matches.

“We are supported by Moree Junior Cricket Club, where juniors come and fill in teams in the afternoon with us,” Sinclair said.

“We very much appreciate these young players also playing Saturday afternoons and plan to include them in teams again this upcoming season.”

Moree and District Cricket Association is now accepting team nominations for the pre-Christmas, 30-over competition.

“We have five teams nominated already, which is much better than the same time last year,” Sinclair said.

“Hopefully, another one or two teams may nominate before the start of the competition.”

At the club’s recent annual general meeting, Sinclair was elected president, with Tom Vanderstok appointed vice-president.

Djordjije Cikota (club secretary), Jack Johnson (club treasurer), Jeff Annis-Brown, Ash Jones, Matt O’Donnell, Brady Polkinghorne and Darren Bourke were elected committee members.

“I think this upcoming season has the potential to be a cracker,” Sinclair said.

Anyone interested in nominating a team for the 2024-2025 cricket season can contact the club at [email protected] or go to the club’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MoreeSeniorCricket