The Chargers’ Family Affair

A shared passion for cricket, a strong club culture and an emphasis on family are the keys to a successful club says Darebin Chargers founding member Vikas Dhingra.

The club, which formed in 2009, now has three senior teams in the North Metro Cricket Association (NMCA) along with a growing junior program which consists of an under-11’s team as well as a MILO in2CRICKET program.

Captain of the Chargers’ First XI in the Jika Shield, Dhingra says the club formed out of necessity, with players looking for a formal structure where they could play competitive cricket.

“The Darebin Chargers are a multicultural club,” Dhingra said.

“The majority of our members have a sub-continental background and there was a need to form a club that provided better communication to the players.

“This was essential as some players had previously struggled to overcome the language barrier at other clubs.”

Previously, Dhingra and many other keen cricketers would play games on local cricket grounds on Sunday mornings.

These matches, while unofficial, were keenly contested social games.

However, matches were unregulated and difficulties such as ground hire, the lack of official umpires and no insurance prompted Dhingra and his teammates to create the Darebin Chargers.

“Another positive of joining the NMCA is being able to run our junior program,” Dhingra said.

“We currently have 20 children in our MILO in2CRICKET program and one under-11’s team.

“While many of our juniors that play have their dad’s playing senior cricket at our club, we’ve also successfully promoted our junior program to our local community.

“Our Junior Coordinator, Hussain Hanif has been instrumental in the expansion of our junior program.

“Prior to the season commencing, we handed out flyers at local shopping centers, indoor sport centers as well as promoting our program through social media.

“Our club is located at C.H Sullivan Park in Preston and we’ve been helped greatly by Darebin Council who constructed new synthetic nets and there are now are plans for new clubrooms in the near future.

“The Council recognised the commitment of our club as well as our growing on field success.

“In our first year in the NMCA we began with two teams in the Kelly Shield in which we won before progressing to the Quick Shield.

“In the 2013-14 season we were promoted to the top grade, the Jika Shield.

“While we haven’t had the success we’d like in the Jika Shield, we’re looking to improve in the coming seasons.”

While most cricket clubs train twice a week, the Darebin Chargers get by on one session due to outside commitments from participants the club.

“Most players in the senior club are working during the evening on weekdays, so at the moment the whole club, including the juniors and the MILO in2CRICKET kids train one night a week on a Wednesday,” Dhingra said.

“This allows a family atmosphere at training as on one side you have the seniors training in the nets and on the other side you have the juniors running around on the oval with their mums and dads watching.”

Dhingra’s experience in bringing social cricketers to a formal cricket structure proved invaluable when he along with some teammates created the Ausian Community Cricket Association (ACCA) in 2010 who are affiliated to the Victorian Metropolitan Cricket Union.

Dhingra noted that there was a need in the community for a Twenty20 competition played on Sundays.

“Many social cricketers prefer the Twenty20 format as it’s a better fit for them and their families,” Dhingra said.

“With games finished within three and a half hours, it provides great competition in quick time.

“The ACCA organises two competitions each year, one just after the regular cricket season in April and the other in late August just before the cricket season begins.

“We’ve received great support from Cricket Victoria in the last year with the competition.

“Last year we even had former Melbourne Renegades coach Simon Helmot attend our presentation night, which was a great thrill for us.

“The name Ausian itself is inspired by the players.

“The majority of the participants are from South-East Asia, particularly India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

“Ausian reflects South-East Asians playing cricket in Australia.

“We have a good standard of cricket in the league and Commonwealth Bank Bushranger, Fawad Ahmed has played in the competition.

“In each tournament we have 12-16 teams participating and the competitions run for approximately eight weeks.

“Teams pay a fee for participating and the league provides uniforms for the players as well looking after ground hire, cricket balls and appointing at least one NMCA registered umpire per game.

“Last year the competition introduced live scoring using iPads for matches and the association also paid scorers.

“The majority of our games are played at Blake Park in Preston.

“With four grounds available in the one location it means we can play the rounds matches one after another.

“Each Sunday is a gathering of people with players and families attending from across Melbourne to watch and play cricket.

“Food is sold at the ground and it’s almost like a carnival each week.

“It makes for a great atmosphere.

“Last year’s Ausian Final was particularly memorable as we had a DJ, a jumping castle for the kids and the Melbourne Renegades’ mascot, Sledge in attendance,” Dhingra said.

Dhingra would like to thank the Darebin Council and Cricket Victoria for their support of both the Darebin Chargers and Ausian Community Cricket Association.