MPCA: Old Peninsula appoints Elias Karageorgiou as coach

Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association champions Old Peninsula has secured a batsman who boasts a double century at Premier level.

Elias Karageorgiou batting for Melbourne University. Picture: Andy Brownbill

They’ve won the past two Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association Provincial premierships and now Old Peninsula has landed a coaching coup.

The Pirates say they are “beyond excited and grateful” to secure former Premier Cricket batsman Elias Karageorgiou as player-coach.

The 32-year-old played nine seasons of first XI at Hawthorn and Melbourne University, turning in some eye-popping performances with the bat, including a knock of 209 not out in a second XI match.

Old Peninsula says Karageorgiou’s influence at the Pirates will go beyond cricket.

A qualified teacher, he has worked for The Resilience Project for the past three years, working around Australia helping school students with their mental health and wellbeing.

“Whilst Elias has tremendous cricketing credentials, it was his life skills, professional career, and character that led us to appointing him as senior coach,’’ Old Peninsula said.

Elias Karageorgiou and John Forrest.

Karageorgiou has captain-coached Doncaster Cricket Club (his home junior club) for the past four years. He’s recently moved to the Mornington Peninsula.

Old Peninsula said Karageorgiou’s teaching and coaching background would benefit the club.

“Elias has a remarkable passion for leadership, mentoring, coaching and learning,’’ the Pirates said.

“These are the reasons why the club is so thrilled to have someone of his calibre to help lead the club moving forward.’’

Meanwhile, back-to-back Provincial 1st X1 premiership skipper Justin Grant has been re-appointed 1st X1 captain for the 2023-24 season. It will be his third consecutive season at the helm of the Pirate ship.