Mitchell Swain named Old Boys' new skipper

The 30-year-old works at the family owned McCulloch Agencies in Tamworth, which he describes as "the best job in the world".

Then there is the family-like atmosphere he savours at the sporting clubs he is involved in - a season spent with the Gunnedah Bulldogs AFL side this winter giving way to another cricket season with Old Boys.

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It's a fulfilling life, although he lamented not seeing more of his Narrabri-based son Dustin over the past two years because of lockdowns.

"I certainly enjoy where I work, and I enjoy my sport," he said. "I'll keep doing it as long as I can."

The coming cricket season - delayed because of COVID - shapes as one of the most monumental of Swain's extensive sporting life.

Eight seasons after leaving Albion and joining Old Boys, he has been named captain of the reigning premiers.

It was announced this week that he had succeeded Ben Middlebrook as skipper, with the latter named the club's second-grade vice-captain.

Swain - who led Gunnedah to War Veterans Cup glory in 2019 - said he was "very honoured" to have been handed the captaincy.

"The Old Boys club has been one of the outstanding clubs of the region," he said.

"A lot of that comes down to Ben Middlebrook's work and what he's done over the last 10 or so years."

He added: "But I'm certainly excited to take over what he's done and keep trying to guide this club to a bit of success."

Despite the change of leadership, Swain said it was not a new era at Old Boys.

"The guys that are playing this year ... have been playing cricket for a long time," he said, adding that he is "excited to see how some of these youngster develop".

He continued: "I must admit that it doesn't feel like a new era; we're still the same club.

"Although Ben has gone back to second grade to keep developing some youngsters, I still feel we've got as strong a squad as we've had the last few years.

"That's why we keep playing cricket: to see these young players come through and perform."