Sport
28 March, 2025
Joe Lovel set to travel over 16,500 kilometres to play for Bracebridge Heath
Laanecoorie Dunolly young gun Joe Lovel is packing his cricket bag for a European adventure, committing to play for Bracebridge Heath Cricket Club in England.
The teenager has been one of the Maryborough District Cricket Association’s (MDCA) most promising talents as a prominent member of Laane’s A grade side, scoring 178 runs and taking 27 wickets over the last two seasons.
Lovel has also played in the Kirton Shield for the MDCA under 17s team and represented Central Highlands Cricket at the Victorian Country Cricket League under 18s competition.
Lovel won’t be alone on his journey, with Laane star recruit Alex Cook hosting Lovel as he returns to his home club of Bracebridge Heath located on the outskirts of Lincoln.
After seeing Laane welcome recruits from overseas and other MDCA cricketers making the voyage across the world, Lovel said the experience has been on his wish list for some time.
“Ever since we had Samit Gohil play for our club a couple of years ago, he explained how it all works and how we got him,” he said.
“I’ve known a few people who have gone and done it and my best mate Harry [Kurzke] is going over.
“We tried to get to clubs nearby but when that fell through Alex came over here and said you can come back [with me] and play for the club I play for.
“Bracebridge Heath have been really great with the opportunity they have been able to give me.
“That experience of exploring a new country and playing the sport that I love, once the opportunity came, I knew I had to take it.”
Lovel officially flies over in early April, spending six months over 16,500 kilometres away from his family to test his talents against a Duke cricket ball and bowler-friendly conditions.
Having lived in the Central Goldfields all his life, moving away will be a step into the unknown for Lovel, however, he said he’s confident he will settle in quickly, especially with the support of the local community behind him.
“Ever since it got announced the support has really been overwhelming, you go down the street and you see someone you know and they wish you all the best,” he said.
“I’ve never moved anywhere, I grew up and played local sport in Dunolly or around Maryborough my whole life, this will certainly be something different for me.
“That unknown is something I’m really looking forward to and just experiencing life outside of what I have grown up and always known.
“It sort of hasn’t fully hit me but once my bags are packed and I’m properly leaving home for six months and going to a place I’ve never been to, it will certainly kick in at some point.”
Keen to improve not just with the bat and ball, Lovel has joined the club’s junior coaching staff, hoping to gain valuable experience in nurturing cricket’s next generation.
Lovel said he’s excited to make the most of his stay in England on and off the field.
“Seeing the way Alex went about it over here, [I’m planning] to travel around England while I’m over there,” he said.
“In terms of cricket, they play a ridiculous amount of games, Alex was telling me that how much cricket I want to play is how much I’ll get.
“At this rate, it will be three games a week plus coaching junior teams which from a cricket point of view, [will] develop my coaching and leadership skills in a different league and different conditions.”