DVCA: Diamond Creek locks in Kevin Gleeson as coach for 2020-21
A familiar face with ample experience will be calling the shots at Diamond Valley Cricket Association outfit Diamond Creek in 2020-21.
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Kevin Gleeson is a well-known figure at Diamond Creek.
The club stalwart has been involved with the Diamond Valley Cricket Association outfit for two decades, having roles in the junior and senior ranks.
Now Gleeson is preparing for his second stint as senior coach after his first finished “about 10 years ago” and lasted four summers.
He has replaced Callum Dean in the top job and the Creekers are expecting a seamless transition, with Gleeson holding down the director of cricket position in recent seasons.
“It’s more just continued stability and keeping the club growing,” Gleeson said of his ambitions.
“We’ve got seven senior sides, which is probably one of the biggest clubs in the area, and it’s just about maintaining the numbers and looking after all the players.”
Diamond Creek has dominated Barclay Shield in the past two seasons, losing just three games, but it has not triumphed in the grand final.
In 2018-19, the Creekers suffered a shock loss to Macleod in the decider, while the 2019-20 final against Heidelberg was called off after one day amid the coronavirus crisis, with the two teams later declared joint premiers.
“The hunger of the guys is still there,” Gleeson said.
“It’s really been quiet over the off-season in terms of catching up and we haven’t been able to have a decent chat about it all.
“Over the next month, we’ll get an opportunity to try and touch base with all the players and get things ready for pre-season.”
But Gleeson is keen to see improvement across all the grades.
“It’s a club job – it’s not an A grade job,” he said.
“Because I’m a non-player, it’s much easier to focus on the club as a whole.”
The Creekers’ First XI line-up is brimming with talent, with Daniel Gilbert claiming the Ray Christesen Medal for the best player in Barclay Shield last summer.
Gilbert punched out 442 runs at 40.18 at the top of the order and was also destructive with the ball, collecting 26 wickets at 11.62 apiece.
Josh Adams, who will remain captain, hit 290 runs at 41.43, while bowlers Luke Campitelli (26 wickets), Mark Keenan (24 wickets) and Dale Campbell (18 wickets) starred.
“At the moment, we expect all of our senior group to be playing again,” Gleeson said.
“There’s no new ones coming in at this stage. We’re always open for recruits, but we haven’t been proactive in that regard.”
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