Victoria searches for Diamonds in the Bush

Since 2003, the program has aimed at unearthing young talent across the state by conducting high performance coaching sessions, with Hamilton being the first port of call this weekend before a further six clinics staged the week after in Bendigo, Shepparton, Gippsland, Mildura, Ballarat and Wodonga.

Along with high performance coaching sessions for junior cricketers and coaching seminars, there will also be a Common Ground launch hosted in each of the towns.

The purpose of the Common Ground plan, which is a key pillar of Cricket Victoria’s new strategic plan, is to provide direction to facilities development in Victoria and articulate strategies for working together with all partners to deliver facilities that meet current and future needs.

By implementing a unified plan for cricket facilities development, Cricket Victoria aims to work together on common ground to ensure that cricket continues to strongly contribute to an active, healthy and inclusive life for all Victorians.

Senior Local Government representatives and Councillors will join officials, coaches, guest speakers and players from Cricket Victoria at the Common Ground launch which will follow the coaching sessions with junior cricketers.

Commonwealth Bank Bushranger Rob Quiney, who will be in Hamilton this Sunday and Monday, said the Diamonds in the Bush program had been a great success over his career.

“Some of my Bushranger teammates like Sidds (Peter Siddle), Bear (Cameron White), Dogga (Aaron Finch), Jake Reed and Ryan Sidebottom have all made their way through to first-class cricket from regional Victoria,” Quiney said.

“Hopefully we can find some more future Victorian players while also connecting with the local governments and getting them talking about cricket.

“It’s a great time to be involved in Victorian cricket having won the Shield last year and, soon, we’ll have a dedicated home at the Junction for the first time in our history, so we’d love as many people on board as possible.”

In a first for the program, there will be female high performance sessions run in Hamilton, Shepparton, Gippsland, Ballarat and Wodonga.