West Gippsland cricket: Chris Cleef to coach Devon Meadows in 2022-23
The Panthers have locked in a Premier Cricket “mystery spinner’’ as their coach in the West Gippsland Cricket Association.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Devon Meadows’ new coach has big ambitions.
Chris Cleef joins the Panthers from Victorian Premier Cricket club Frankston Peninsula, where the off-spinning all-rounder took 64 wickets at 23.8 and made 780 runs at 21.67 across all competitions during his four-year stint.
Described as a “mystery spinner’’ because of his unusual bowling action, the 35-year-old finished fifth in the Premier Seconds player of the season in 2019-20 and made his 1st XI debut in December 2020.
Prior to joining the Heat, Cleef played in premierships at Aspendale and his junior club Seaford, and is aiming for further premiership success at Devon Meadows.
“It’s a pleasure to join Devon Meadows,” he said.
“The club has a very welcoming feel. It is very much community based and family oriented which fits perfectly in with what I was looking for in a club.
“I hope to help the Panthers to progress to the next level and get back into the Premier Division.”
Devon Meadows club president Mick Floyd said the club was delighted to lock in a player of Cleef’s experience and is excited by what he can bring to the Panthers.
“Chris has had considerable team and individual success throughout his career, so to add a player of his ability is obviously exciting,” said Floyd.
“His experience coming from the high-performance environment that is Premier Cricket will be extremely beneficial to the entire club but especially for the young players we have throughout our playing list.
“Chris is an outstanding person who will be a fantastic fit for our club.’’
Devon Meadows finished in second spot in WGCA District last season but lost in both the semi-final and preliminary final.
The club as a whole secured four premierships from eight teams that made the finals.
Pre-season training will commence in early August with dates to be confirmed in coming weeks.
Revealed: The 2025 Dowling Shield teams
Victorian Premier Cricket clubs are starting to reveal the future stars set to pull on their colours in the Dowling Shield. See every selected side.
How backyard baptism of fire made a Premier Cricket champion
His steel was forged some three decades ago facing the wrath of two fast-bowling older brothers. This weekend, Ringwood’s David King joins the rarest of company when he etches his 300th First XI Premier Cricket match.