JONAH Koch is relishing the opportunities coming his way in his young cricket career.
The Werribee resident has followed up state indoor representative honours last year with a berth in the Victorian under-15 schoolboys team.
Koch (pictured) has packed his bags for a trip to Perth for the national schools Sports Australia cricket championships, starting on Saturday.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” the medium-pace bowler told the Weekly.
“I’m lucky enough to have the opportunity so hopefully it all goes well. I’m feeling pretty good and hopeful I will go OK.”
Koch is more focused on how the team performs than individual success.
The 15-year-old is confident the ‘Big V’ has what it takes to become national champions at the age group.
“We’ve got a strong side,” he said, adding that it had performed strongly in lead-up games.
Koch is blessed with a tremendous support network.
Of course, it starts with his parents, who ensure he gets to training and games on time.
Koch has also came through a solid junior system at local clubs Wyndhamvale and Werribee Juniors.
There he was talent identified for Western Spirit under-14 state championship matches by Werribee sub-district coaches Ivo Havard and David Dodemaide.
He is now part of the Spirit’s under-16 set-up under Daniel Hutton.
“They’ve really helped me develop as a player,” Koch said.
Koch is a regular fourth XI player with Footscray Edgewater in the Premier Cricket. Again, in Bulldogs coach Barry Neivandt, he has a great teacher.
Role models are easy to come by in the kennel as well.
“I’ve been getting a lot of help down at Footscray with my skills from the coach Barry Neivandt,” he said.
“All the senior boys give you a hand when they can. We’ve got a few players who’ve played first class cricket and they really set a good example for the rest of us.”
Koch, who idolises Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, shifted his schooling from MacKillop College to Maribyrnong College.
He received a cricket scholarship from the specialist sports school Maribyrnong, where he can combine his school work and cricket.
“If I keep getting presented with the opportunities, I like to take them when I can,” Koch said.
