THE Queanbeyan District Cricket Club will be turning to its youth this summer after losing five of its most experienced players, including the Dean brothers, during the off-season this year.
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It comes after the club had one of its most memorable seasons in recent years in 2013/14, winning the John Gallop Cup one-day competition in first grade, while also making the grand finals of the Twenty20 and Douglas Cup two-day competitions.
Second grade took out their Twenty20 competition last season, while both third grade and fifth grade claimed their one-day titles, as all five of the clubs grades played finals cricket.
But rival clubs have made their moves in recent months, with Weston Creek signing star batsmen Jono Dean and Blake Dean, while Eastlake have grabbed the services of bowling stars Vele Dukoski and Josh Bennett.
Big-hitting batsman Michael Curtale has opted to stay in his home town of Cowra this summer, and will not return to Queanbeyan either.
Queanbeyan Cricket president Peter Solway said the club had suffered big losses, but remained confident they would still bring enough young, fit players to fill the voids.
"Jono was here for six or seven years, and Blake came for a few years as well. They are great players, and they'll be missed for sure," Solway said.
"But otherwise we're happy with where we're at. With those players- it's their choice to go to chase a few dollars- but our club will be around for the long haul, and we'll build up again for another chapter in our history."
"We'll have an average age of about 19 to 20 now, and it's our job now to make sure we raise them in a positive environment."
Solway confirmed the Dean brothers, Dukoski and Bennett had each left the club for more money, and said this was disappointing for community cricket.
"Eastlake and Western Creek have thrown a bit of money around. They seem to think the only way they can win a competition is by doing that," Solway said.
The club has signed Grenfell all-rounder Henry Hunt, wicket-keeper Kel Evans from Bega, and all-rounder Ed Barnard from Shrewsbury, England.
While these players are very young, Solway said they had shown the club enough promise to further their own opportunities.
"They're 16, 17 and 18, so they're young kids looking to play good cricket and looking for an opportunity," Solway said.
Fast bowler Sam Taylor will take up the first grade captaincy this season, and is expected to be assisted by 2013 vice-captain Dean Solway.
Dean Solway conceded this season would be "a development year" for a young side, and said having lost so much experience, there would be a different feel around the squad.
"The pressure will be on myself and Tubby to score runs, and I'll have to try and have a big impact batting at number three," he said.
