Cricket Southern Bayside 2023-24: Beaumaris hunts for new coach after Chris Hall departs

Beaumaris has received strong interest in its recently vacated coaching position in Cricket Southern Bayside. The Sharks give an update.

Beaumaris players celebrate a wicket in last season’s CSB Championship preliminary final. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Beaumaris believes its strong culture, calibre of player and hunger for success makes its vacant coaching job one of the most attractive in suburban cricket.

The Sharks are hunting for a senior coach after Chris Hall had to relinquish the role after landing a job at Caulfield Grammar as the school’s 1st XI cricket head coach.

It leaves the Sharks, who played off in last season’s CSB Championship division grand final, looking for a new leader — a bit over two months from the start of season 2023-24.

Beaumaris’ leading player Sam Coates said finding Hall’s replacement had been “problematic’’.

“Especially this time of the year,” he said.

Coates has been heartened, but not surprised, by the amount of interest in the job.

“We’ve had a lot of interest because we think it’s a really good job,’’ he said.

“But nothing suitable from our end yet.”

Coates said the club had a backup plan if a new coach wasn’t appointed.

“We’re not overly concerned about it because we think we have a very good club, a very good culture, with very good leaders in it,” he said.

Chris Hall batting for Beaumaris. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“It’s just about how we break the model down and attribute responsibility to the right people.

“We’re still going through the process, still inviting (coaching) applications.

“But unless we sign a coach I’ll run pre-season because I can, with the kids coming through…I’ll probably have a fair say into what the model might look like.”

Coates added: “We’ve got ex-Premier players within the group, we’ve got a lot of cricket IP within the group. We’re not overly concerned about it yet.

“If we don’t sign a coach, are we in trouble? I don’t think we are at all to be honest.”

Lachlan Fryer.

Ben Earney.

Coates said Hall had been terrific for Beaumaris and the Sharks would miss his knowledge, leadership and playing ability.

“He’s one of the most passionate club coaches I’ve come across,” Coates said.

“They’re a special breed, club coaches, I reckon, especially one like him, he goes over and above.”

Beaumaris has retained key players Ben Earney, who led the competition wickets chart last season with 31, skipper Cameron Watts, Thomas Mutton, Lachlan Fryer and

Jonty Leadbeater.

Leadbeater, who made an unbeaten 47 in last season’s preliminary final, is currently in the UK playing cricket but will be back in time for Round 1.

Elsewhere, reigning premiers Bonbeach has appointed Corey Martin as head coach.

Former Australian under 19 wicketkeeper and St Kilda premiership player Jason Jacoby has been installed as South Caulfield’s new coach.