MPCA: Long Island signs Harry Van Raay and appoints Stuart Swift as coach

Long Island has locked in recruits and appointed a new head coach as it sets itself to bounce back from relegation.

Zac Wilson is back at Long Island. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A familiar name has joined Long Island for season 2024-25.

Harry Van Raay has crossed over from Old Peninsula, extending his family’s long and rich history with the club.

His father Doug and his late grandmother Helen are life members of Long Island Cricket Club.

Harry is a talented all-rounder; a tall fast bowler and talented middle order batter. He had a taste of first XI cricket at Old Peninsula last season.

“The Van Raay family has been synonymous with Long Island so it’s great to have Harry join the club,” Long Island president James Haley said.

Zac Wilson.

Long Island has also regained all-rounder Zac Wilson, a dynamic batter and leg-spinner who made a big impact in the club’s 2020-21 premiership before not playing last season.

Wilson is a former captain-coach of Knoxfield in the Ferntree Gully competition and also played six games for Richmond in Premier Cricket and represented the Victorian Country side at the Australian titles in 2016.

“He was best player in the grand final three years ago,” Haley said.

In other Long Island news, Stuart Swift has returned to the club as head coach after being at Tyabb in recent seasons.

“It’s good to have Swifty back as coach to concentrate more on game plan and the technical side of batting and bowling,” Haley said.

Long Island will compete in Peninsula division after being relegated from Provincial last season.

Matthew Shimell bowling for Long Island. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Haley said Long Island captain Aiden McKenna, who scored 451 runs last season), would again lead the side, while Anthony Bissett (403 runs), Michael Burke, Tom Boxell, Tom Matson, Matt Shimell and Dan Kelly were on board again.

Haley said the club had another recruit on the go: “We’re just chasing one more.’’

In other MPCA news:

*Tootgarook locked in Danny Heylbut as senior coach.

*Brighton’s VSDCA champion Ricky Damiano joined Langwarrin as skipper. And the Kangaroos have regained paceman Andrew Smith from Seaford.

*Mornington appointed Ringwood triple premiership all-rounder Brendan Walsh as its playing-coach. The 35-year-old left-arm spinner has signed on for three seasons.

*Mt Martha advertising for a new coach, with Ben Stallworthy stepping away and his assistant Simon Street also not playing.