The Port Stephens Pythons return to the Maitland competition this Saturday as defending club champions and with double the amount of players.
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The cricket club, based at Raymond Terrace, grew from 27 players to close to 60 in the off season.
In addition to fielding its highly successful A- and B-grade teams back in Maitland and District Cricket Association’s one-day competition, the club has also entered teams into C and D-grade.
“We’ve more than doubled our player numbers this season, which is good for the club and cricket in the region,” Josh Moxey, A-grade captain, said.
The club celebrated its 30th anniversary last year with on-field success.
A-grade won its fourth premiership in a row. B-grade clinched the premiership.
The Pythons also claimed the one-day, T-20 and club championship.
Having dominated the competition for the past 15 years, as the club’s amount of premierships in that time will attest to, the Pythons are now looking to go to the next level – literally.
Moxey said the club was aiming to move up to district cricket (two-day competition).
“The goal is to find a better standard of cricket to play in,” he said.
“District cricket is, at the moment, a seven team competition. The move will help Maitland out by filling out a bye in that competition.
“But we also want to maintain our success in the one day competition.”
This season will be about growth and working towards the district competition. But that is not the only thing the Pythons are working on.
The club is looking to build a women’s team to enter into the Maitland competition next year.
Moxey said there had been plenty of interest this season, just not quite enough for a stable team and a grade in the men’s competition suitable for it to play in.
“It’s good to see there’s interest there for the women,” he said.
“We’re just trying to facilitate it. In this region, in Port Stephens, there’s no one else that I’m aware of trying to get a women’s side playing.”
Michelle Moxey, president of the Port Stephens Pythons, said another focus for the club was improving its facilities.
“We are very hampered by grounds and equipment,” she said.
“We’ve been trying to get a grant or council assistance for years to get a roller; $32,000 is a lot for a little tiny club to raise.
“Raymond Terrace Cricket Club have been great and lent us theirs, and helped us prepare the wickets.
“The other thing we don't have here is adequate training facilities, which is another $60,000.”
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
