IT'S only weeks away from the new season and newly-appointed community cricket coach Joe Scuderi has hit the ground running.

Based at the Bury Metro Sports Development offices at the Castle Leisure Centre, the 36-year-old all-rounder is relishing his new role.

Now he is looking forward to meeting coaches and officials from all local clubs at a specially arranged meeting night at Ramsbottom Cricket Club on Wednesday, March 23.

Queenslander Scuderi has a wealth of cricketing experience after more than a dozen seasons as professional in the Lancashire League, principally with Nelson.

He originally played first class cricket with South Australia and has recently returned from Malaysia after captaining the Italian national side in their qualifiers for the World Cup.

Scuderi is particularly keen to know everything about what coaching structures clubs have, how many coaches they utilise and which schools are actively engaged with local clubs.

He will also be on hand to answer any questions and queries club coaches have for him and is hoping to help any way he can.

The meeting, which starts at 7.30pm, has been arranged through the Bury Cricket Development Group.

For further details contact Martin Kay on 0161-223 1002.