The Hurley's Hotel Hounds are ready to bound into the inaugural season of the Goulburn Valley Bush Bash League.
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And even before Sunday's Crane Aid GVBBL draft at the Sherbourne Hotel in Shepparton, the Hounds have a formidable core of players put together.
With coach Paul Newman signing up brother David as captain - as well as Victorian Premier Cricket guns Tom Donnell and James Nanopoulos as the outfit's marquee stars - the Hounds will be in great stead to put on a show in the competition.
And that is exactly what team owner Brenton Sheppard is more than happy to let his charges do while he sits back and enjoys the ride.
“It should be exciting, I haven't really been involved too much in any selection talk, but I know Paulo's all over it,” Sheppard said.
“It's going to be good, I imagine most sides have got their top three or four picks that they really want and then I'm not sure how it might pan out after that.
“It's certainly a good start (to our list) and we're happy to be on board.
“Our business has been great supporters of local sport here in Kyabram and this is something that helps us keep that up.”
As well as hoping for some success for the Hounds in the GVBBL, Sheppard is looking forward to the concept itself taking off and lighting a fire under some potential new cricketers in the region - or even rekindling an old spark or two from those who have not pulled on the whites in a while.
“Cricket is still thriving around the Kyabram and Shepparton areas, but even then there's (still improvements to be made),” Sheppard said.
“There's not enough juniors and then there becomes a bit of an age gap where you've either got 16 or 17-year-olds or 40-year-olds running around (in some of the lower grades).
“But hopefully something like this can take off and help reinvigorate cricket and encourage more people to be involved.”
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