Young cricketers set to shine in regional Victorian tournament

Nov 21, 2023

Called up: Northerners’ Zavier Davidson is one of several district players with a chance to showcase their ability against regional Victorian talents. Photo by Megan Fisher

Cricket Shepparton will be well represented in an upcoming youth cricket tournament involving elite Victorian talents.

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The under-16 boys and under-15 girls Country Cup squads have been finalised with players from the Goulburn Valley eligible for the Northern Rivers team.

The boys’ squad contains strong Cricket Shepparton DNA, with four boys from the region appointed to the side.

Jake and Zavier Davidson are representing Northerners, Kaleb Gilmour of Waaia comes in and Euroa’s Walter Jackson is included.

The boys of Goulburn Murray Cricket got a look in as well, with Bamawm-Lockington United duo Kade Pearse and Broden Wishart named to the Greg Lyon-coached representative side.

Cricket Shepparton clubs also have two girls named in the 13-strong Rivers side under Ren Haeusler, with Phoebe Hawker of Karramomus and Kyabram’s Georgia Leonard earning the call-up.

GMC clubs are not empty-handed in this division either, with Chloe Moyle and Sophie Good named out of Echuca Cricket Club and Kyabram Fire Brigade’s Penny Mason earning a nod.

Northern Rivers boys under-16 and girls under-15 Country Cup squads

BOYS: Hugh Behrens (Bendigo United), Jake Davidson (Northerners), Zavier Davidson (Northerners), Kaleb Gilmour (Waaia), Xavier Grant (Eaglehawk), Kobey Hunter (Strathsfieldsaye), Walter Jackson (Euroa), Rory Kennedy (Eastern Hill), Angus O’Brien (White Hills), Kade Pearse (Bamawm-Lockington United), Clayton Smith (Kangaroo Flat), Taj Taylor (Eaglehawk), Broden Wishart (Bamawm-Lockington United)

GIRLS: Sienna Barnett (Golden Square), Maeve Caine (White Hills), Eliyah Daneen (Strathdale-Maristians), Rachel Flood (Bendigo), Sophie Good (Echuca), Phoebe Hawker (Karramomus), Allira James (Bendigo), Georgia Leonard (Kyabram), Penny Mason (Kyabram Fire Brigade), Yakira McKenzie (Golden Square), Chloe Moyle (Echuca), Kylah Virtue (Eaglehawk), Macey White (Eaglehawk)

Six teams will contest both tournaments, with the boys’ edition kicking off in Albury-Wodonga and Hamilton on Saturday, December 11, with Melbourne due to host the finals the following Saturday, December 18.

Also on December 18, the girls’ edition will begin at the same two regional venues before the finalists head to the city in January.

At the tournament, which is running for the first time, the two Northern Rivers squads will tangle with regional Victoria’s best across the Western Waves, Central Highlands, Mallee Murray Suns, North East Knights and Gippsland Pride.

The newly-developed event is considered part of the first step along the Talent portion of Cricket Victoria’s recently revamped player pathway model.