The re-established Natimuk Cricket club has been rolling out the green carpet thanks to a $3000 Community Development Grant from Horsham Rural City Council.
The 'carpet', which is cricket turf, will improve safety and useability in and around their practice nets at the Natimuk Showgrounds Reserve.
Club spokesperson Callum Cameron said the grant was an important step in the club's resurrection after a recess from 2015 to 2022.
"The cricket club had started installing the nets back in 2015 but the work they did fell into disrepair during the seven-year break. Last year, when we started up again, we had only one usable net."
"Trying to train with 15 blokes in one net was a real hassle," he said.
"We needed to replace the carpet on the pitch and place some artificial grass inside the nets for safety. Thanks to this grant we have finished the job."
Natimuk Showgrounds Recreation Reserve is the sporting hub of Natimuk, the cricket, netball, tennis and football clubs are all located there, as well as the Natimuk men's shed.
Mr Cameron said the work would not only benefit the club's C Grade senior team but may help to boost junior interest.
"The Natimuk Primary School is next door and we feel strongly that finishing the practice nets will work towards bringing kids and people of all ages and genders into cricket and sport in general.
"Before 2015 we had a junior side playing in the Horsham Cricket Association and we want to encourage kids to become involved and potentially restart the junior program in the future."
In their debut season back in Horsham Cricket Association, Natimuk C Graders finished a credible sixth for the season, out of 10 teams.
Asked how the new turf would help with skill development and on-ground performance in the 2023-2024 season, Mr Cameron was upbeat.
"It is much nicer to bowl on, with any luck we will win a flag I reckon," he said.
HRCC's Community Grants have been highly successful over the past 12 months with dozens of local projects worth $210,211 allocated funding.
Most successful applications range between $500 and $5,000 and are awarded to not-for-profit organisations that enhance the Horsham municipality.
Clubs and organisations can apply for a share of the next round of funding via the HRCC website from 1 February until 28 February 2024.
GRANT FINDER TOOL
Community Groups can now access up-to-date information on available and upcoming grants from all levels of government as well as philanthropic programs – all in the one place on the HRCC website.
