Tracy Village captain Janu Varatharajan speaks on club’s resurgence

A squad refresh and the return of a club junior into the captaincy role has positioned the once struggling Tracy Village one match away from title glory.

It was a move back to the past for Tracy Village’s newest A-grade captain that has the previously struggling outfit into the form side of the competition in under a season.

The Village’s new captain Janu Varatharajan, alongside the timely acquisition of some interstate players, has turned the bottom of the ladder side to an unbeaten One-Day season, and an almost flawless T20 campaign.

Previously a Nightcliff Tiger, Varatharajan’s move for season 2025 was not one of glory hunting, but a move that he and his family believed needed to happen.

Tracy Village’s A-grade captain Janu Varatharajan. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“My family and I had a bit of a falling out with the club and thought it would be in our best interest to move on,” he said.

“I’d spent some time as a junior at Tracy so it was a big change but wasn’t too drastic.”

Like many captains, leadership wasn’t new to Varatharajan, but his captaincy did come as a surprise nevertheless.

“Jack (Doyle) was chatting with me and said he wanted to take a step back from a captain/coach role into just a coach, and he along with others put my name forward to be the new captain,” he said.

“So I was very happy that they all decided to choose me.

“I’ve had experience as a captain through juniors, but captaining adults and people who aren’t your school mates is a big change.

“I think I’ve handled it well so far, but it’s been great because it’s more like a co-captaincy with a handful of other guys.”

Varatharajan said the success of the Village through the first half of the season can be attributed, but not limited to, a number of individuals.

“Certainly the acquisition of a number of players such as Connor (Carroll), Jake (Gerrans), Ryan (Walker) and Jake (Smith) along with some other boys have been huge in turning the tide, and success of the team,” he said.

“We have direction and a group of guys that have bought in and performed when required.

“I’ve been enjoying the season, but I actually haven’t been required or really had the chance to put up big numbers with the bat as the guys at the top of the order have been on fire.”

The Village has a chance to take out its first A-grade title in a long time as they face-off against reigning One-Day champions Nightcliff this Sunday.