MPCA: New coach, recruits as Frankston YCW aims high

One-time MPCA powerhouse Frankston YCW is eyeing a return to its glory days after announcing a new coach and recruits, as its new leader makes a bold call.

Dan Salvato is the new playing-coach of Frankston YCW. Picture: Facebook

The Stonecats are sharpening their claws.

Frankston YCW, a one-time powerhouse of the MPCA, is eyeing a return to its glory days after announcing key appointments and recruits in the weeks since playing off in the Sub District semi-finals — the club’s first finals campaign in five years.

Dan Salvato has stepped up to be Frankston YCW’s new playing-coach after serving as the club’s assistant coach and director of cricket last season.

The Stonecats have also signed Long Island all-rounder Aaron Barrett as a playing assistant coach and former Seaford Tigers coach and Ballam Park captain Anthony Joel.

Stonecats premiership player Levi McLoughlin-Dore has returned after a stint at Heatherhill.

Salvato, 44, is a former high-level tennis player who pursued a professional career in America as a young man.

Dan Salvato batting for Cardinia. Picture: Valeriu Campan

His love of cricket has seen him play at YCW, as well as Flinders and Cardinia.

Salvato’s love of Frankston YCW — where he’s played two seasons — is unmistakable, and he says the Stonecats are set up for sustained success, with strong juniors and depth in senior ranks (their Second XI won the premiership last season).

“We’ve got the whole club on board with what we’re looking to do,’’ he said.

“We’ve got set values, we’ve got a set goal which is by 2030 we want to have at least two flags.

“Getting out of Sub District, I think it’s probably one of the hardest things...because every single club wants out of there and they want to progress.

“It’s a, ‘we before me’, mentality which is really our catch phrase at the club. It’s something we brought in last year and it’s absolutely taken off and everyone is on board with it.

“A lot of people who’ve come from other clubs have said it’s very refreshing.

“We want to build it from within and we’ve got the juniors and younger players to do it.’’

Levi McLoughlin-Dore batting for Frankston YCW.

Frankston YCW has also re-signed leading run scorer Kaedyn Hodgson, who racked up a tick under 400 runs, including a century against Delacombe Park, last season.

Dean “Moose” Henwood has also re-signed as playing bowling coach.

Simon Draycott, who coached the Stonecats in recent seasons, has stepped away due to family commitments.

YCW will also have a change of captaincy next season, with Jack Greenwood relinquishing the role but continuing as a key player.

“He just feels like it’s the right timing for him, and also for a new person to step in,’’ Salvato said.

“To be honest he’s done an amazing job. I think it will give him a little less pressure and he can just be him, just roll up and make runs for fun, take bowling attacks apart.’’

Salvato said Frankston YCW Cricket Club’s strength was its “strong, family based culture’’ and the support of many club greats who want to see the club flourish once again.

“There’s a lot of people still involved in the club who are not just legends of the club but legends of the comp — Robbie Bedford is down there two times a week, Bradles (Paul Bradley) is down there as well,’’ he said.

“These guys absolutely know, and live and breathe, the whole structure of the club but we have to double down, find the values of the club, double down on the culture because it’s a very, very strong junior, family based culture.

“You can’t just sit back and think it’s always just going to be there because it’s not, so we have to work hard. I think this season it’s already starting to shape up.’’

Frankston YCW has won a First XI premiership — eight in all — in every decade since the MPCA was formed in 1966.

The Stonecats’ greats include Bedford, Bradley, Craig Burch, Peter Lane, Andrew Kitson, Joey Lane, Paul Waterhouse, Shane Beggs, Neil Barfuss and Simon Dignan.

Many of them were named in the MPCA’s best cricketers since 2000.