Michael Beer is giving back to junior cricket.
Remaining involved at his home VSDCA club Malvern, the former Test tweaker is looking after an army of budding junior cricketers.
There’s 28 Rooster junior sides with approximately 230 players.
He’s overseeing the coaching side of things, assisting in the development of the next generation.
Beer, who recently retired from playing, said development, enjoyment and forming relationships led him down the junior coaching path.
“I have been coaching for the last decade but have had involvement in the club, with my son and it being my home club,” he said
“They never had the junior wing when I was growing up, but to help the senior and junior club form relationships together, provide the kids with opportunity to develop and enjoy their cricket.
“Watching the kids have fun, that’s what it’s all about (is the best part).
“Whether its under-15s or Woolworths Blast program, it’s about making them want to come back and play the next game, the next year.
“The more cricket they play, the better they’ll get, the more they’ll enjoy it.”
The biggest challenge the Roosters face at the moment is getting space to facilitate their extensive program.
But Beer said overcoming the administrative hurdles are worth it when the kids learn through cricket.
“There’s always going to be stuff happening, you’ve got multiple venues going at the same time,” he said.
“We have support from Stonington Council and community partners that support the program, Bendigo Bank especially, which is good.
“I was lucky to get a fair bit out of the game, so to watch other kids enjoy the sport is the main thing.
“There’s nothing better than seeing a kid have fun while playing cricket.
“I think you learn cricket is a really tough sport and you can learn a lot about life in general, I don’t think there’s too many people that are successful every time they play.
“So you learn a lot about yourself and learn how to go about things; the skills are individual based but how much time you spend with your teammates, boys or girls, you learn a lot of life lessons.”
Beer dismissed whether remaining close to cricket is reigniting his spark to play again.
“No, no, I am looking forward to having Saturday’s with no cricket for the first time ever,” he said.
“I am not sure my body would even let me play cricket but I have no interest in playing anymore.”
Originally published as VSDCA: Ex-Test spinner Michael Beer is giving back to junior cricket