Royal Park-Brunswick will enter VTCA Division 2 season with new leaders
Having been relegated last season, Royal Park-Brunswick enters the VTCA Division 2 season confident of an immediate bounce back under a new coach and new captain.
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Royal Park-Brunswick will start the VTCA 2020-21 campaign with a clean start, appointing a new captain and coach.
New arrival Beau Carey will coach the Parkers while paceman Nick Neagle will captain the First XI.
The club was relegated from Division 1 last season and lost captain Luke Chapman and fellow English import Sam Bates but is confident of a strong showing in the McNamara Shield this season.
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Carey has VSDCA First XI experience at Brunswick and played in Strathmore’s Second XI in 2018-19 before taking last season off to build his business.
Royal Park-Brunswick president Rhys Contessa said it was all about opportunity under Carey.
“I played my junior cricket with Beau’s brother and I got wind that he was looking for a head coaching role,” he said.
“The committee were unanimous in appointing Beau and he comes with a fresh set of eyes and positive mindset.
“His big focus for 2021 is opportunity, he’s really keen on getting people in that will put in the effort.
“In its infancy Beau’s coaching has delivered in spades, he’s been fantastic, he’s ensured we retained our list so that we can remain competitive in Division 2 and with the shortened pre-season we’re ready to hit the ground running.”
Neagle produced his best season since bursting onto the scene in 2013-14 when he took 24 wickets, claiming 17 scalps at an average of 18.24 in 2019-20.
That tally included a magnificent hat-trick against eventual grand finalist Glenroy.
Contessa was confident the paceman was the man to fill the void left by Chapman on and off the field.
“Luke took over 20 wickets for us and was a really positive young captain … and Nick’s been with the club for seven or eight years now and really matured,” he said.
“He had a really good year in terms of consistency last season and we’re pretty sure that will flow through to Division 2, we’re hopeful that he’ll be among the top wicket-takers in the competition.
“It’s a great opportunity for Nick, his first captaincy in senior cricket, and he’s working in with Beau’s focus of opportunity.”
The Parkers have also lured Zeke Pollock across from Strathmore, while former Essendon and Strathmore bat Matthew Reynolds returns to the game after two seasons out.
Division 2 holds several unknowns for Royal Park-Brunswick but Contessa had no doubt the club was capable of contending for promotion.
“Obviously, coming down a grade we’d like to play finals,” he said.
“Finding consistency in our group will be the key to that coming to fruition.
“In the past we’ve relied on too few but this season we’ve got a level of consistency across the playing list and depth that holds us in good stead.”
The Parkers will kick off the Division 2 campaign with a trip to St Andrews Pascoe Vale on November 21.