CRICKET Albury-Wodonga journeyman Trent Ball will coach reigning premier Tallangatta next season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
It took me about six weeks to decide, it was a big decision.
- Trent Ball
After spending the last two seasons at Wodonga, Ball said yesterday he had agonised over the decision before agreeing to switch camps.
“Ultimately, to be offered to coach a premiership side is a great opportunity and showed me that Tallangatta is pro-active and want to keep moving forward,” Ball said.
“It took me about six weeks to decide, it was a big decision.
“Jon (Thomas) and Matt (Armstrong) were great through the process and all I can do now is go and do my thing and hopefully bring something new.
“In the end we believed it would be a great fit for them and me.
“I can’t wait to start work out at Tallangatta to be honest.”
Armstrong will continue as captain.
Bushies officials are confident of keeping their entire playing list, including star all-rounder and grand final hero James Weighell.
Weighell showed his class by taking 13 wickets in three finals this year and scored an invaluable 68 in the premiership decider against East Albury at Les Cheesley Oval.
Ball has coached CAW’s representative side for the past five years.
The hard-hitting opening batsman started his career at Lavington and spent three seasons as coach before crossing to St Patrick’s.
He then joined Wodonga and has played under Robbie Jackson for the past two years.
“I want to thank Wodonga Cricket Club and Robbie Jackson,” Ball said.
“I’m a premiership player there and they have been great to me.
“I will always love the place.”
Ball said Tallangatta was hoping to recruit several players in coming months to stay ahead of the chasing pack.
“We are working on a couple of others,” he said.
“We have some former players coming back to the club so it all points to an enjoyable year out at Tallangatta.
“My approach to coaching is a bit different to everyone else around here.
“I just want people to be in an environment which suits them so they can enjoy their cricket and want to be there.”
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria will be holding a national player pathway roadshow at Wodonga’s Huon Hill Hotel on September 7.
The objective is to communicate directly with Australian cricket’s key stakeholders.
It will be opportunity for states and territories and Cricket Australia to collectively share, promote and engage in discussion to assist in embedding the outcomes and objectives of the National Player Pathway Program.
Some of the topics that will be covered include junior and talent pathways and what it means for clubs and associations, formats, playing policies and guidelines, new coach development resources, club development tools and facility specifications and funding opportunities.