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SHANE Koop is determined to lead the Bendigo District Cricket Association back into provincial group of Melbourne Country Week.
Koop has been appointed the BDCA’s new senior representative coach, with his goal to elevate Bendigo back to the top flight in Melbourne.
After failing to win a game in 2017, Bendigo earlier this year spent the 2018 Melbourne Country Week carnival in division two.
However, Bendigo was unable to earn promotion back into provincial group and will again compete in division two at the carnival in February.
“The first point of call is to sit down with the association and put together a really transparent selection process and development program,” Koop, who at this stage will be a non-playing coach, said on Wednesday.
“The big drive for us is to get back into provincial group in Melbourne.
“We have a lot of great people and great cricketers in the association and we need to get back up to provincial to represent the association well.
“To do that we need to get hold of the better players in the association. We understand life is busy with work and family and that the better players are also leaders at their club and that takes up time, but we need to get the best team possible we can to give ourselves the best chance of getting up to provincial group.
“Our association is a really strong regional competition and at the moment our Melbourne Country Week standing doesn’t reflect that, so we have a lot of work to do to get that reputation back.”
As well as coaching the BDCA representative team, Koop is also in his third season as coach of Bendigo, which sits third on the BDCA ladder with a 2-1 record.
The opening batsman-keeper is one of eight players to have made a century so far this season following his unbeaten 102 against Sandhurst in round two.
The Goers continue their season against Kangaroo Flat at the QEO in round four starting this Saturday.
Meanwhile, West Bendigo and Maiden Gully will both play home games this Sunday in the opening round of the Goulburn Murray Cricket Association’s new women’s competition.
The Redbacks host Kyabram Fire Brigade Red at Ken Wust Oval, while the Lions take on Kyabram Fire Brigade White at Maiden Gully from noon.
Leitchville-Gunbower, Shepparton Youth Club United, Nathalia and Echuca are also in the competition.
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