The ability to grow its junior and female cricket programs is among benefits to South Barwon Cricket Club following the unveiling of the Swans' new turf and hard-wicket training nets at South Barwon Reserve on Friday.
The new training facility adjoins Reynolds Oval, one of two feature grounds at South Barwon Reserve, an active sporting precinct within the broader Belmont Common Reserve.
The project was delivered thanks to a City of Greater Geelong commitment of $370,000, along with a $100,000 Sport Recreation Victoria grant.
The developments have seen South Barwon's hard-wicket facility increase from three nets to four synthetic practice wickets, while the Swans now have access to a turf table providing for six training wickets up from the previous two.
Along with increasing the number of training nets, the developments incorporate several innovations including:
- full-length run ups
- an off-field location (consistent with Cricket Australia standards)
- wickets brought forward to create more space for wicketkeepers inside the nets
- retractable roof netting on turf wickets
- hard-wired roofing on hard-wicket nets and
- lockable gates to secure the facility, when not being used by the club or public.
Christine Couzens - Member for Geelong
The Andrews Government is proud to support grass roots sporting clubs like South Barwon Cricket Club.
These facilities are what club members need and deserve, providing a safe, first-class training environment that will attract new members, and more women and girls to the club.
Mayor Trent Sullivan
The new facility will support the South Barwon Cricket Club in providing increased opportunities, particularly for the growing number of females taking up the sport.
The launch of the Barwon Women's Cricket Competition and Geelong Girls Cricket League has seen the number of girls and women choosing to play competitive cricket increase significantly over recent summers.
The City is delighted to have the opportunity to work with the Victorian Government in delivering facilities that will improve opportunities for these players.
Councillor Eddy Kontelj - Chair of the Active Spaces portfolio
The investment in the new training facilities is consistent with the City's strategy to improve sporting opportunities for all residents, in particular females and juniors.
Council was delighted to support this project because we strongly believe improved sporting opportunities not only leads to improved physical health, but also strengthens social ties and resilience.
Women's cricket has really exploded in Greater Geelong, and it's critical that we have the facilities to accommodate the extraordinary growth that the sport is experiencing.
The increased number of training nets will give the club the ability to combine men's and women's training, leading to a rationalising of coaching resources and eventually improving outcomes for everyone.
