By Tara Murray
The exciting talent coming through the ranks was behind Shafraz Mohamed’s decision to sign as Point Cook’s captain-coach for the next Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield season.
Mohamed, who coached Sunshine last season, brings plenty of experience as both player and coach.
He played in premierships with Keilor before he took Footscray United from division 4 to division 1 as captain-coach.
Mohamed had one season at St Albans where he took them to a T20 title and helped Sunshine make the division 1 grand final last season.
Mohamed said initially he wasn’t keen on helping another side come through the ranks, but the opportunity was too great at Point Cook.
“I wanted a new challenge,” he said. “I got approached by Matt [Bennett] the president of Point Cook about me coming to help them out this year.
“I had a chat to them and it seemed like a well operated club and they told me about the young potential.
“They have something like 27 junior teams and five or six senior sides.”
Mohamed said having recently moved out that way, his new club is just round the corner.
He said he was keen to work with the young players coming through the club.
“I’ve been doing some Dowling Shield coaching at Williamstown and there’s some exciting young talent coming through and a few from Point Cook.
“I’ve been told a lot about the talent coming through. I want to try and help them get to the next level.
“I enjoy coaching kids and looking to get them to a higher level. That is the main reason I put my hand up.”
Mohamed said he would look to bring across two or three players with some experience to help the younger players coming through.
Mohamed said in his experience having a few experienced players to help mentor worked well.
After a tough season for Point Cook, which narrowly missed out on being relegated, Mohamed has set the focus high.
“I’ve played finals at pretty much every club,” he said. “Improving players is one side to if, but i also go out there to play and win.
“We will try and play finals.”
