Getting ready with Riyaad

Building up off foundations laid last year, Henry will work with the new 2025/26 executive under president Jason Stephens, vice-president Wes Sutton and secretary/treasurer Courtney Haddrell.

Together with Matt Haddrell also coming on board, Barooga will be packing serious munitions.

That’s at least according to Stephens.

“This year, with Riyaad, and Matt, heading our cricket department, we’ve got a fair bit of knowledge there,” he said.

“Riyaad’s experience, and the respect he has from all the juniors from the club — that goes a long way and makes a big difference.”

Henry will also coach the reigning premier under-17 side.

His mid-season return to the Barooga A-grade team made an impact of its own last year, adding a maturity and experience that turned the Hawks from challengers into a side with serious premiership pretensions.

“We know he sets high standards. He delivers them and sets them. He leads, and the others follow,” Stephens said.

Now with its leadership team locked in for the upcoming campaign, Barooga is confident in capitalising on its numbers in the juniors.

“We’re a cricket club that really wants to develop our juniors, and that’s at every level,” Stephens said.

“We want to see a lot of improvement from our kids; that’s the key focus.”

Meanwhile, watch this space, says Stephens, with the match committee completing a pile of work in the off-season, including confirming young guns Codi Bowden, Murphy Stephens and Crue Lucas, alongside English import Zach Dunn.

Taken together, it’s got Stephens excited for what lies ahead.

“Like I said, one of our main aims is to get three competitive sides in all three grades, and we believe we can do that,” he said.

“Wining grand finals — they’re byproduct of the hard work you put in. That’s the way we look at it.”