ACA Masters Tour in Devonport, Tasmania

Another ACA Masters Tour has been completed, with a three-day series of events in Devonport, Tasmania, promoting cricket around the local area.

A number of ACA Members attended the tour, including Alex Doolan, Angela Burdon, Asha Smith, Bobby Quiney, Brett Geeves, Emily Smith, Graeme Vimpani and Tom Triffitt.

Day 1 of the tour kicked off at Spreyton Cricket Club, with a junior clinic and junior club training providing opportunities for eager young cricketers to gain incredible insights from former players. A barbecue followed and allowed for some beneficial interaction with some of the locals while watching a Senior T20 between Spreyton and Mersey Colts.

Day 2 of the tour began with two school visits, where our members were able to assist with clinics run by Cricket Tasmania at East Devonport Primary and Hillcrest Primary schools. Our members were able to engage in a range of fun activities and drills, while teaching the next generation valuable skills to develop their cricket.

Former Tasmanian player Emily Smith said, “To get back to Tasmania, Devonport in particular, and out in the community with all the kids at the clinics has been great, we’ve really enjoyed it.

“It’s great to have former players connecting, getting out into the community, spreading our love of cricket and connecting with different parts of the country. It’s really important.”

After these school clinics, the tour headed to Devonport Oval, where another batch of young cricketers were treated to a clinic with our members, prior to the big T20 clash between Devonport with the addition of Alex Doolan, and Latrobe who had Tom Triffitt join the team.

Before play kicked off, there was a welcome from local councilor Gerard Enniss and a Q&A with Bobby Quiney, Emily Smith and Brett Geeves to both teams and some of the local community.

Batting at #3, Triffitt contributed 43 off 34 balls to help Latrobe to 116 in the first innings. Despite starting well, Doolan was bowled by Latrobe’s captain for 5, but that didn’t stop Devonport chasing down the total and getting the win in the last over.

Tasmanian native Alex Doolan described the experience of the tour as very special:

“The ACA Masters tours are incredibly important. For those who have benefited from the game and experienced the highs of the game, to be able to give back to the next generation, it’s important for that next generation to see some of the past players and hear stories about how they became professional cricketers.”

On day 3, the tour concluded with senior club visits. Here, the Masters were able to provide tips and insights, while helping out with warmups pre-game with Devonport Orions and Burnie Hurricanes A Grade, as well as Mersey Colts and Penguin A-Reserve.

Another Tassie native who represented her state, Ange Burdon said, “Definitely well worth it – I love giving back to the community, and to see children that possibly haven’t played cricket start to enjoy it.

“Being a past player, the opportunities to give back to juniors are so important. I remember as a junior coming through myself, it was always good to have Australian or State players around and give you something to aspire to.”

ACA Ambassador Bobby Quiney spoke about how important the ACA Masters tours are.

“The ACA Masters are incredibly important to us, they provide opportunities for kids who probably don’t necessarily get the exposure to high level coaches or past players, who come and interact with them.

“Hopefully it motivates some juniors to really progress their cricket.”