Goodwood Cricket Club on track for third consecutive A Grade ATCA premiership

A local SA cricket club remains undefeated in season 2024/2025 and says it has never been stronger as it chases a historic A Grade premiership.

Goodwood Cricket Club president Warwick Potts. The club is aiming for its third straight A1 premiership this year.Picture: AAP Image/Morgan Sette

An Adelaide Turf Cricket Association club is on track to make history after starting the 2024/2025 season undefeated.

The Goodwood Cricket Club has won the last two ATCA A1 premierships and should be a major chance to win a third for the first time in club history after starting the season 6-0.

Coached by Tom Dawson and led by captain all-rounder Alfie Gleadall, Goodwood currently sits two games clear in top spot and needs five more wins to enter finals with an unbeaten record.

“It’s been amazing,” club president Warwick Potts said of the success.

Goodwood's premiership winning side of 2024. Picture: Goodwood Cricket Club

“It has been great to see successful on the field but it also requires us to do all the other things off the field really well.

“We have good coaches and we have a good mix of players which includes the good younger guys who stay on at the club.

“We put emphasis on that and we’ve now got amazing numbers of players playing senior cricket including about 30-odd kids who have come through.”

Goodwood CC will reach its centenary year in 2027 and has come a long way through its journey.

Potts said the club had put an emphasis on expanding its teams and connecting with the surrounding community in order to strengthen in recent years.

“For around 85 of those years it has just been men but the past 15 or so we’ve come leaps and bounds involving other aspects of the community,” he said.

“We’ve grown our senior numbers but also our junior numbers from one to two teams to 16 boys teams, three girls teams and an inclusive side as well.

Goodwood Cricket Club president Warwick Potts. Picture: AAP Image/Morgan Sette

“Community is super important for all community clubs and Goodwood is no different, we need to support of our community members and people.

“We’ve worked closely with the surrounding residents and we try really hard to maintain a good relationship with everyone – that helps us to continue to grow.”

The club recently held a community event in partnership with NRMA Insurance to celebrate nearly 100 years of cricket.

The event came as part of a $5000 grant to put towards the club and community events.

“Seeing our community come together to celebrate cricket, at all levels, is truly inspiring,” Potts said.

“The support given through the community grants program underscores the vital role local clubs play in bringing people together.

“As we aim for a third straight premiership, the community and club events like these not only strengthen the club but reinforce the bonds within our community.”

ROAD TO FINALS

With five games left, a number of teams can still make the top four to compete in the 2025 A1 ATCA finals series.

Goodwood remains on top but will need to keep winning to ensure a finish over Para Hills and third spot Brighton who both sit close behind.

Pooraka sits just above Grange in fourth and both should put up a big fight for finals with a number of bottom half sides as their opponents to close out the season.

Prince Alfred OC would likely need to win at least three of its remaining five matches, with seventh placed Old Scotch and eighth spot Woodville South also needing to win more than they lose to be a chance.

Ninth spot Port District, 10th spot Trinity OS and Ingle Farm in 11th still remain outside chances but would need to pull off upsets and take points off of each other, while bottom place Hope Valley will certainly miss the series.