Mentone Cricket Club – Dads & Lads Cricket
Season Summary 2025/26 & Call for Interest 2026/27

The 2025/26 season marked an exciting new chapter for Mentone Cricket Club, with the introduction of our inaugural Dads & Lads team competing in the SECA Men’s Competition – ‘L’ Grade on Saturday afternoons.

With strong junior participation across our Rookies, Under 12s and Under 14s programs, the club recognised the importance of creating additional opportunities for junior player development and transition into senior cricket. Cricket is unique in its ability to bring multiple generations together on the field, and the Dads & Lads format provides a fantastic opportunity for fathers and sons to share the game together. Who knows — perhaps one day we might even see a Mother and Daughter pairing take the field in this format.

Mentone Cricket Club has long been proud of the role it plays in developing junior players and supporting their pathway into senior cricket, and for many young players the Dads & Lads team represents an ideal first step into senior competition in a supportive and enjoyable environment.

Our inaugural season exceeded all expectations.
The team finished the regular season with 5 wins from 10 matches, securing a place in the finals series. In a remarkable effort, the side went on to defeat the top-placed Cheltenham Park in the Semi Final, earning a spot in the Grand Final against Carnegie South. While the team ultimately fell just short of premiership glory, the experience of playing finals cricket together — across generations — was a huge success for the players, families and the club. The season created lasting memories and has left everyone excited and eager for what lies ahead.

Looking ahead to season 2026/27, the club is hoping to register two Dads & Lads teams, however we are currently calling for registrations of interest to determine if this is viable.

Competition Details

Competition: SECA ‘L’ Grade
Game Day: Saturday afternoons
Match Format: 35 overs per side
Ball / Uniform: Red ball, traditional white cricket uniform
Wickets: Synthetic
Junior Eligibility: Minimum age 12 years as at 1 September of the playing season
Senior Players: No maximum age — experience always welcome

One of the great benefits of the competition is its family-friendly schedule, with a lighter fixture than higher grades and no matches scheduled over holiday weekends.

Uniform (2026/27 – TBC)

Uniform orders are typically placed around June for September delivery and include:

White Mentone CC playing shirt
White cricket pants
Mentone Baggy Cap

Registration Fees (2026/27 – TBC)

Note. Indicative numbers only:
Dads: $250
Lads: $100 (for Junior players already registered with Mentone CC)

Supporting the Development Pathway

Mentone Cricket Club strongly supports the Cricket Victoria Junior Development Pathway and recognises that playing senior cricket in formats such as Dads & Lads is an important stage in a young player’s development, alongside representative opportunities.

In 2025/26, Mentone proudly had players representing across the Cricket Victoria pathway programs, including:

VMCU Carnival
VSDCA J.G. Craig Shield (U15)
Premier WJ Dowling Shield (U16)
Premier U18 Competition

The Dads & Lads team sits proudly alongside these programs, providing a supportive, competitive and enjoyable environment for players to develop their skills, confidence and love of the game.

Expressions of Interest Now Open

If you are interested in being part of the Mentone Dads & Lads program for the 2026/27 season, please register your interest with the club.

Whether you're a dad keen to pull the whites back on, or a young cricketer looking to take the next step into senior cricket, the Dads & Lads team offers something truly special — cricket, community and family all in one team.