Lukas Hoogenboom’s cricket future is up in the air after Cricket Victoria officials rejected his latest attempt to join Hawthorn-Monash University. 06624By Marc McGowan
THE Lukas Hoogenboom saga could be headed for the Supreme Court after Cricket Victoria officials rejected his latest bid to transfer from Casey-South Melbourne to Hawthorn-Monash University.
Cricket Victoria’s three-member pennant committee appeals tribunal (PCAT) on Friday dismissed Hoogenboom’s appeal against the Cricket Victoria pennant committee’s decision not to clear him last Monday.
The up-and-coming fast bowler spent the last two Victorian Premier Cricket seasons playing for the Swans.
Hoogenboom enjoyed a breakout 2007/08 campaign, earning a training call-up with the Victorian Bushrangers.
But the drama started after former Casey-South Melbourne president Graham Yallop, who has a strong relationship with Hoogenboom, took up the position as director of cricket at Monash University in May.
Yallop’s exit triggered a mass player exchange between the Swans and his new club, but Casey-South Melbourne officials refused to grant Hoogenboom a clearance.
Hawthorn-Monash University president Glenn Jones said he had “some empathy” for the Swans, but confirmed that he was seeking legal advice about the predicament.
“This is a pretty straight-forward situation. Lukas is an amateur player and wants to choose the club he plays at,” Jones said
“We’re currently seeking legal advice and what we do in the future in regards to litigation will involve Cricket Victoria and its amateur rules or lack of them.”
Jones said Hoogenboom had no intention of playing for the Swans again – even if he cannot get a clearance to the Hawks.
“We’re 150 years old and it’s not like we haven’t experienced these things as well,” Jones said.
“What happened when the great Peter Roach left Hawthorn after a fight with management in 2005-06?
“We lost 12 players. But did we refuse player clearances? No, we granted them. You can’t force people to play at a club.”
Casey-South Melbourne coach Mark Ridgway restated his and fellow club officials’ stance on not clearing Hoogenboom and said he would “welcome Lukas back with open arms”.
“There is no reason for him to go … we have nursed him through our programs to the point he is a first-grade player and took 30-odd wickets last year,” Ridgway said.
“We want him to continue with us and we’re in no position to make Hawthorn- Monash University a stronger club.”
Victorian Premier Cricket manager Peter Binns, who was present at both of last week’s tribunal hearings, was shocked to learn of Hawthorn-Monash University’s possible legal action.
“I’d be astonished and disappointed if it went before the courts because this is a matter of an amateur cricketer and really it is up to the two clubs and Lukas to sort out,” Binns said.
“Nobody wants to see Lukas standing out of Premier Cricket … we would like nothing more than for Lukas Hoogenboom to play for the Bushrangers and do well.”
