HOORAY, hurrah.

The date for the start of cricket has been set.

Cricket Shepparton has tentatively set November 6 as a starting date for the current season for junior and senior cricket.

Veterans will commence on Sunday 7 November.

This will of course be subject to restrictions being lifted as predicted and matches will be run in a COVID–19 safe manner.

With that in mind Euroa Cricket Club has stepped up training with sessions being held at the Memorial Cricket Nets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5.30pm and some Sundays.

Training for under 14 and under 16 will commence on Thursday, October 14 at 4.30pm.

After being locked down or restricted for so long players are keen to get outside and play sport with their teammates.

U12 cricket is set to begin on Friday November 12.

This competition is open to all juniors aged 8+ years of age.

Woolworths Junior Blaster will also begin on this date.

This is for juniors aged 5–7.

This is a fantastic opportunity for young cricketers to learn and develop new and existing skills.

All competitions are open to both girls and boys.

Cricket Victoria says cricket is an exciting game that encourages leadership, friendship and teamwork which brings together people from different nationalities, cultures and religions and it emphasises values such as respect, fairness and self–discipline in a game that is truly diverse and inclusive.

In our current COVID–19 world, sport is an important factor in mental health and wellbeing.

Victoria alone has over 400 000 participants of which over 120 000 are female.

In excess of 15 000 volunteers give their time to support the game in some way.

This grows to in excess of 700 000 participants Australia wide.

It is a sport that reaches into many communities.

Euroa Cricket Club is looking forward to the upcoming season with returning players and new players registering their desire to participate.

If you are interested in playing registrations can be found at www.playcricket.com.au or contact the club.

We're for cricket.