Last night’s High Performance International Pathway (HPIP) try-out at Cricket Victoria’s Junction Oval indoor centre was a huge success. Talented young cricketers from right across Victoria came together under one roof, and the standard in the nets was outstanding.
The coaching panel
The players were put through their paces by:
- Andrew Walton — Director, Victorian Elite Cricket League, and Director, High Performance International Pathway
- Michael Sheedy — Senior Cricket Coach and Head Coach of Yarraville Cricket Club
- Dhana Murugavel — Founder and Director, Victorian Elite Cricket League
A special guest in the nets
The highlight of the evening was Macneil Noronha, the Karnataka all-rounder signed by the Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2026. Macneil worked with the boys through the session, sharing what it takes to move from age-group cricket to state and franchise level.
For many of the players, it was the first time they had trained alongside a current IPL cricketer — and the energy in the room showed it.
A KIOC product
Macneil’s own story is the pathway in action. He joined the Karnataka Institute of Cricket at the age of 13 and came through its programme to play for Karnataka and then for one of the leading teams in the IPL. Today he is a contracted player at Yarraville Cricket Club in Melbourne.
That is exactly what this programme is about. We are keen to see many more young cricketers from the Victorian Elite – KIOC High Performance International Pathway follow the same road.
Where the pathway leads
HPIP connects Victorian cricketers with the Karnataka Institute of Cricket in Bengaluru: an eight-day December camp at KIOC with matches against Indian opposition, then home for turf T20 in the VECL December tournament. One trial picks two squads — the HPIP camp squad and the December junior franchises — and every player receives feedback, selected or not.
The journey towards premier and franchise cricket starts with nights like this. Read more about how the pathway works.
One more try-out to go
The second trial is on Monday 9 November, 7:00pm–9:00pm, at Elite Cricket Academy, Hoppers Crossing. It is open to ages 9 and over, and the HPIP camp squad is 12 and over. Bookings close Sunday 8 November — book a try-out.
A big thank you to every player and family who came along, to Cricket Victoria for hosting us at Junction Oval, and to Macneil for giving his time to the next generation.