Cricket Shepparton Junior Country Week stars ready to launch

The league will field six squads and junior co-ordinator Laura Crouch is confident Shepparton will be strongly represented on the field.

“We had a lot of kids trial in every age group,” Crouch said.

“We’re pretty confident we’ve got strong teams across all age groups.

“Each age group had a couple of trials, some had one, and we played against Wangaratta in the Challenge with some age groups fielding two teams.

“From then it got narrowed to one team.”

Although the action will be scattered across the Northern Rivers sphere, several Shepparton venues have been picked to host, with Tallygaroopna, Nagambie, Kialla and Mooroopna hosting the under-14 age group.

Beyond the chance for young stars to test their mettle against – and with – some of the best talents in the region, Crouch said the opportunity to stoke some camaraderie with players often rivalling considered rivals was one of the big focuses for everyone involved.

“We’ve got six teams, so a lot of work goes into the grounds, the coaching … they give up their time which is awesome,” she said.

“Last year the under-16s won the final, (but) a lot of it’s about friendships, playing with kids from other teams they usually play against.

“A massive thanks to the clubs that are hosting and the coaches as well who are giving up their week, as well as the families that are travelling out to Bendigo, Cobram, Seymour.”