When it comes to indoor cricket, the ACT certainly punches above its weight.
At the most recent Cricket Australia Indoor National Championships the ACT Rockets took out the Open Men’s event clocking up their fourth national title since 2015, firmly cementing their place in Australian indoor cricket history.
Dropping only one match across the tournament the Rockets racked up an incredible for and against aggregate of 786 runs.
In addition to the overall tournament win, four players—Matthew Floros, Tim Floros, Tyler Hays and Luke Ryan—were named in the National Touring Squad for 2023.
Matthew Floros also took top honours, named player of the Grand Final, as well as the prestigious Alan Wilson medallist for 2023.
This season, votes for the Alan Wilson medal were counted from performances at this year's nationals as well as last year's World Indoor Cricket Federation World Cup.
We recently had a chat with the Rockets’ Brock Winkler to learn more about why the ACT excels when it comes to indoor cricket.
“Our longevity at the top is strongly aligned with the investment in our players by coaches and volunteers, and over a long period of time.
“Our coaches and managers are at the highest level of indoor cricket, and they give generously to help us stay at the top.
“As an example, there’s only one Rocket debutant who hasn’t played underage indoor cricket for the ACT over the past 10 years.
“Our pathway is alive and well and continues to produce outstanding athletes.”
This is evidenced by the strong performance of our ACT Under 22s team who also performed well at national championships this year and had two players—Kyle Hyauiason and Brad Millynn—selected in the 2023 National Development Squad.
The ACT talent pool doesn’t end there. Four junior players were also selected for the Australian team: Toby Brenton (Under 18 boys), Nathan Kerr (Under 16 boys), Catherine Diedricks & Alyse O’Brien (Under 16 girls).
Our Masters indoor players also remain competitive at the national level, with the Over 45 Men finishing 2nd, and the Over 50 Men finishing 3rd, at the Australian Masters Championships in Darwin in May. From that tournament, four players were selected to represent Australia in the Masters Trans-Tasman series on the Gold Coast in October, being Rob Regent, Mick McEwan (both Over 45 Men), Rod May, and Marty Bennett (both Over 50 Men).
With only three indoor centres servicing the whole the ACT, the success of our indoor players is remarkable and highlights the strength of the ACT Rockets and indoor cricket generally, along with our local systems and pathways.
“Seemingly our biggest weakness is that we are a city state, but this is also our biggest strength,” Brock said.
“We’re able to train together easily in the early mornings and late evenings.”
Importantly, Brock said the Rockets isn’t just a community, it’s a family.
A key family within the indoor community is undoubtedly the Floros family.
Brock said they’re some of the best players not just in the ACT or Australia, but in the world.
Current Rockets Coach, Billy Floros, is a former Australian indoor player and vice-captain. Jason and Benji have history with Cricket Queensland, and Matthew is the current Australian indoor vice-captain and a 3-time world cup winner.
Tim is an Australian indoor representative and DB Robin medal winner in ACT Premier Cricket.
“They’re incredible players and they will be around for as long as they can be,” Brock said.
“They’re just an all-round lovely family. They give so much to the sport—assistance, advice, use of their indoor centre. We’re very lucky to have them as such a big part of indoor cricket in the ACT.”
With the local Indoor Cricket Super League now concluded (congratulations to winners the Southern Pride), the indoor community now turns its attention to Dubai, with a number of ACT players involved in Open and Junior competitions of the World Indoor Cricket Federation during September.
The Opens (Matthew Floros, Tim Floros, Tyler Hays and Luke Ryan) will contest a Tri-Series against the UAE and Sri Lanka, while the Juniors (Toby Brenton, Nathan Kerr, Catherine Diedricks and Alyse O’Brien) will play in the Junior World Series.
Beyond Dubai, preparations will refocus on trials and the Rockets Cup in early 2024. The goal is to maintain the consistency throughout 2024 to ensure there is strong competition for the Rockets locally.
Brock said the talent within the 18- and 22-year age groups means the Rockets will continue to go from strength to strength.
We look forward to the next chapters of indoor cricket in the ACT.