You could be excused for seeing double on the cricket pitch during a Kiama Cavaliers fourth-grade match this season, with a remarkable five father-son pairings taking the field throughout the 2025-26 campaign.

Those combinations include Shane Wilson and his son Oliver, Adam McCrone with sons Harry and Riley, Andrew Marsh with Heath, Giles Brown with Milo, Brett Nortje with Marlow, Col Bayley with Hayden and Glenn Coghlan with his son William.

Kiama Cricket Club president Bernie Brown said the decision to re-form a fourth-grade side in 2025 was driven by the opportunity to connect fathers and sons through cricket.

“A number of dads coach junior teams, and through those conversations we discussed the opportunity to form a fourth-grade side again, giving fathers the chance to play cricket with their sons,” he said.

“We wanted to use fourth grade as a platform to introduce talented young cricketers into grade cricket - firstly by allowing them to play alongside their dads, and secondly by creating a pathway to nurture talent and progress through the grades.”

Brown said the initiative has delivered a double win for the club: encouraging fathers out of retirement while preparing young players for the demands of grade cricket - and creating some unforgettable moments along the way.

“Seeing the pride of dads taking the field alongside their sons has been priceless. We plan for this to be a long-term opportunity for fathers to return to the game and play with their boys. There’s no better moment than a parent taking a catch from their child’s bowling - the whole team gets around it,” he said.

The father–son dynamic has also fostered a strong family culture within the team, adding to the atmosphere of Kiama Cricket Club as a whole.

“Fourth grade probably attracts the best spectator attendance, largely due to the father-son and family connections. We often see siblings, mums, partners and grandparents coming along to watch, which has shaped our culture into one centred on fun and family. It has also brought a lot of energy to training sessions and post-match functions at the leagues club.”

The young players in Kiama's fourth-grade team. Photo: Bernie Brown

On the field, fourth grade has also been Kiama’s most successful side this season, currently sitting second on the ladder - a result Brown attributes to strong team chemistry and quality mentorship.

“The boys have been key contributors so far this season, often finishing matches with the bat and showing maturity, determination and fight,” he said.

“In round five, in a match reduced by hail and rain, 17-year-old Milo Brown guided the Cavs home over Gerringong with three balls to spare. The following week, Oliver Wilson and Harry McCrone finished the job against Oak Flats with three overs in hand. The boys aren’t just participating - they’re competing and winning matches.”

Brown said the team culture has played a major role in the development of the young players and is something he hopes will continue into the future.

“Our skipper, Andrew Marsh, leads the way by giving the boys responsibility within the team and backing them. There’s also plenty of banter between fathers and sons, which keeps the environment fun and helps take pressure off the boys,” he said.

“They’re also learning umpiring and scoring, which are important aspects of the game. Recently, we held a father-versus-son friendly match followed by a barbecue - a great way to return after the Christmas break and, by all accounts, a fiercely competitive contest, with the boys eager to beat the dads.”

Following the Christmas break, fourth grade was the only Kiama side to avoid an abandoned match, but they were unable to continue their strong form, falling to ladder leaders Jamberoo.

Kiama Cricket Club will celebrate its 170th anniversary on 7 February at Kiama Leagues Club.

Tickets are available via the club’s website.