The Canberra Cavalry's new ownership group is determined to secure the Australian Baseball League club's long-term future and re-establish the team as a championship force.
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Illya Mastoris and Brendon Major front the club's new-look front office, with Infielder Pty Ltd appointed as the new licensees of the Cavalry for the 2021-22 season and beyond.
The ownership restructure comes after the club was placed into administration amid revelations the Cavalry owed in excess of $400,000 to creditors.
Mastoris and Major first crossed paths at Narrabundah Ballpark years ago and narrowly missed out on an ownership stake when clubs were privatised three years ago.
But the ABL came calling when they learned of the previous ownership group's plans to place the club into administration after a torrid two years on the financial front as a result of the bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Now Mastoris and Major are adamant they want to rebuild the club into a force, firstly by reconnecting with the Canberra community and luring more fans to the sport.
"We want to reassure our fans we're here for the longevity of the Canberra Cavalry and for the success of the team," Mastoris said.
"First and foremost it's just reassuring people the Cavalry are in good hands. We've got a plan for the future, it's going to be re-establishing links with the local community, it's letting people know we're fair dinkum. We want to make sure the Cavalry remain viable moving forward.
"We're shoring up the position of the company and re-establishing the team as a force on the field like we used to be.
"Trying to introduce baseball to the wider community is probably the ultimate buzz. That first time they hear a home run go over the fence when Boss Moanaroa cracks that bat, it's a sound that gets your ears pricked up.
"We want to make sure our fans and sponsors know we're going to make this the best possible night at the baseball anywhere in the country. We're committed to being a championship organisation."
Mastoris admits the club faces a major challenge leading into a rebuild but the new owner believes there are plenty of reasons for optimism leading into a new season.
Contracts signed under previous ownership are understood to be null and void, with the club now in talks with players and coaching staff about coming on board for the 2021-22 campaign, with club chiefs hoping to start with a bang for what they hope can be a growing fan base.
"Canberra's baseball community is actually a really tight-knit group of people. Once you're in that community, it becomes like a big family," Mastoris said.
"For us, it's that sense of community and keeping the Cavalry going for that community."