Subbies powerhouse Kew has appointed a new coach for 2021-22 season

VSDCA North-West group runner-up Kew has confirmed its coaching structure for next season, appointing a premiership-winning South African.

Kew batsman Andrew Chalkley. Picture: Steve Tanner

Kew has revealed its new coach for 2021-22.

After finishing runner-up in the VSDCA North-West group, the club moved to strengthen its off-field structure by appointing Wayne Myers as a non-playing coach.

The experienced South African coach takes the reins from Chris Weeks, who will remain First XI captain.

Myers has previously been director of coaching at South African first class outfit Western Province, coached Bentleigh to a Cricket Southern Bayside premiership and oversaw Elsternwick’s Craig Shield side.

Kew president Peter Sist was looking forward to seeing what Myers could bring to the club as a whole.

Kew batsmen Will Sheridan and Matthew Brown. Picture: Steve Tanner

“Kew are absolutely thrilled to have Wayne come on board,” he said.

“He’s coached at a very high level in South Africa and set up an academy there that has produced many first class cricketers.

“He’s got some outstanding man-management qualities … and we think it’s going to be a fantastic relationship between him and our club.

“We’re looking forward to him in particular working with and developing our younger group.”

Myers will work closely with Weeks, Andrew Chalkley and Andrew Wildsmith to continue Kew’s impressive results across all four grades.

The First, Second and Fourth XIs all claimed the minor premiership this season and the First and Third XI reached grand finals but both fell to Werribee.

Will Sheridan and Andrew Chalkley were recognised by being named in the VSDCA Team of the Year and Nick Padbury was named Fourth XI league medallist.

“Weeksy is still our captain and spiritual leader, he and Chalks met Wayne several times to make sure he was the right fit for the club,” Sist said.

“We don’t want to throw out the baby and the bath water, we just want to tweak things a little bit.

“We believe what we offer and provide is outstanding but if you don’t keep moving forward you’ll stop and we want to avoid that.”

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Kew has also secured Brett Davidson as director of coaching.

Davidson has previously worked at Premier Cricket club Richmond and coached senior football in the Eastern league and VAFA.

“Brett will be their sounding board and make sure Wayne, Weeksy, (Andrew) Chalkley, (David) Wildsmith are all in sync,” Sist said.

Kew is the third North group club to appoint a new coach for 2021-22.

Ivanhoe elevated Scott McNaughton to the top job and St Bernard’s signed Kyle Adams as captain-coach last month.