Monash Memo - 5 September 2001

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A new innings for Monash cricket

Cricket players for Monash will have a direct path into the Australian test side following the merger of the university’s club with the Victorian district side Hawthorn–Waverley.

Monash last month announced the merger of its team with Victorian Premier Cricket club Hawthorn-Waverley. The new cricket club is named the Hawthorn–Monash University Cricket Club.

The Australian side draws cricketers from state teams, which select players from Premier Cricket teams.

Members of the newly formed club will have access to educational programs and a range of high quality sporting facilities, while the merger means the university continues to extend its teaching and research expertise into the sporting arena.

Vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson welcomed the merger and said it was a further example of Monash creating tangible opportunities for its current and prospective students.

“The merger and formation of the Hawthorn–Monash University Cricket Club highlights Monash’s ongoing commitment in being actively engaged in the communities surrounding its campuses,” Professor Robinson said.

“The merger provides further opportunities for students who play cricket and who have decided to study at Monash.”

The president of the new club, Mr Graham Christie, said the merger was a positive for both parties, with young cricketers in the region around Monash Clayton among the biggest winners.

“Players will have greater access to modern training venues at the Clayton campus, including medical services, aquatic facilities, a fitness centre, sports stadiums and of course cricket training facilities.”

The president of the Victorian Cricket Association, Mr Bob Merriman, said the organisation was also confident that the development of cricket in the region would benefit greatly from the merger.

“The merger will create enormous opportunities for cricket in this growth area of Melbourne – we’re excited by the initiative shown by Hawthorn–Waverley and Monash University and congratulate them on forming what should be an extremely successful venture.”

CAPTION:  From left: VCA president Mr Bob Merriman, player Mr Peter Roach, Professor David Robinson, and player Mr Simon Dart.