Bateman returns home to Donvale!

Ten years since he played in the Donvale 1st Eleven Premiership side of 2007/08, Simon Bateman returns to Donvale Cricket Club to take on the role of Senior Coach.

This will be Bateman’s third stint at the club, having been the Captain/Coach for 3 seasons in the mid 1990’s and then returning to play in the Firsts for four seasons following a 9 year break from cricket due to work, study and family commitments.

Bateman is an experienced coach in the ECA competition. In addition to his prior role at Donvale, he was also recently Senior Coach at East Doncaster for 2 seasons, and most recently the Senior Coach at North Balwyn for four seasons.

His four seasons at North Balwyn saw the First Eleven compete in the finals every year, and culminated with them winning the Dunstan shield in 2016/17, following an unbeaten performance during the home and away rounds.

When questioned as to why the return to Donvale, Bateman responded by saying "I have always had a close association with the Donvale Cricket Club. This is where I commenced my coaching career, and this is where I came back to play local cricket. We have always lived in the area, my kids went (and one is still there) to primary school in Donvale, and we are now back living on the border of Donvale and Warrandyte.
It is a terrific club and there are still many familiar faces whom were integral to the club when I first went there almost 25 years ago. Importantly, the club has also invested much time and energy into rebuilding the Junior programme and I see this as an extremely exciting time to be involved and help to continue bridging that step from the Juniors to the Senior ranks.
There has also been some excellent work on the off field component of the club. The clubrooms have been extended and renovated significantly, and the training nets completely revamped, ensuring Donvale is the envy of the ECA with regards to resources.

There is a real sense of enthusiasm and optimism present at Donvale, and if I can bring my coaching experience to help continue that and ensure that Donvale is not only a competitive force, but a place where people can develop great character and a love of the game then I look forward to making that contribution."

Donvale will be fielding 4 Senior Turf sides, Juniors in all age groups as well as Veteran’s in the ECA this season.
All members and families are invited to meet Simon and here about his plans and coaching philosophy on the 12th of July at the Donvale Sports Club, commencing at 7:30pm.

Pre-season training will commence from Thursday the 3rd of August, with full details to be published shortly.

Enquiries to Simon Bateman (Senior Coach) on 0428 133 388 and David Bourke (Vice President) on 0429 414 799 or donvalecricketclub@gmail.com