THIS season is a true family affair at Millewa Cricket Club.
The Red Cliffs Cricket Association’s club B Grade side will feature an incredible five father-son combinations, filling out their entire XI.
The team will consist of Scottie and Chris Clark, Riley and Chris Douglas, Patrick, Seamus and Matt Kelly, Robert and Dylan Matthews, and Francis and Travis Boulton.
Scottie Clark, who doubles as club president, said father-son combinations themselves aren’t rare for the Bullants, however, the sheer volume at one time is something new.
“I guess it’s just been a bit of a generational shift with the young fellas who weren’t quite able to play a game are now old enough to play in the B Grade, and the old fellas are playing to hang around to play with their sons,” he said.
“This is definitely the most we’ve had in a season, but we’ve always been a family-orientated club.
“It is really special. Something I’ve always enjoyed is playing alongside my old man so it’s good for other people as well to get that chance to do it.
“We’ll see how long it lasts, wait until Dad runs out the son, or vice-versa and it might be on for young and old!” he laughed.
The new RCCA season begins today, weather permitting, with Millewa’s B Grade side facing South West.
Clark said everyone involved at the club is “dead-set keen” for a full season.
“It’s been a hard slog for everyone coming back from COVID and the uncertainty around playing and a shortened season last year, but this season everyone is ready to crack into it,” he said.
While Millewa are currently based at Red Cliffs’ Quandong Park, the A Grade side is set for five successive games – with Christmas intersecting – at Mildura Sporting Precinct.
“It will give us a chance to play on a really nice oval but also share in that with the South Mildura Sporting Club, and also to play a bit of cricket in the community were most of us are living these days,” Clark said.
“There’s a lot of connection with the Millewa area but not so many of us live out there. We do still have some farmers in the team that will be coming in and out over harvest this year.”
