Cricket
11 November, 2024
Weidemann selected for Dowling Shield Competition
Hugh Weidemann has been selected for the Melbourne Cricket Club in the Dowling Shield competition for under-16s in the Victorian Premier Cricket League in January 2025.
The Dowling Shield has been running since 1955 and has seen many incarnations. It returned to its original structure in January 2024 as an under-16 competition, an important step in Cricket Victoria's new Player Pathway program.
The following clubs compete: Camberwell, Carlton, Casey South Melbourne, Dandenong, Essendon, Fitzroy Doncaster, Footscray, Frankston Peninsula, Geelong, Greenvale, Kingston Hawthorn, Melbourne, Melbourne University, Northcote, Prahran, Richmond, Ringwood and St.Kilda.
The Shield is contested over two weeks, with teams divided into three pools of six.
Weidemann attended some of the trials and training sessions held at the Bill Lawry Centre at the MCG from June until October. The squad was announced in October.
Weidemann plays for the Rupanyup/Minyip Panthers in the B-grade competition of the Horsham Cricket Association and, opening the batting is leading the league with 152 runs.
Weidemann said he is looking forward to showcasing his talent in premier cricket.
"I am looking forward to playing at this level and gaining some experience," Weidemann said.
"They have some excellent coaches there, and our coach is Jack Harper, the older brother of Sam Harper, so he knows a fair bit, and hopefully, I can learn a bit.
"In training, the focus is to get one per cent better each time, and there is a bit of focus on game situations where you set your fields and where you want to bowl."