Surf Coast Suns Cricket Club will be able to prepare for games properly thanks to new cricket nets at Torquay’s Banyul Warri Fields.
The club received a Surf Coast Shire Council grant for $380,000 from the Victorian government.
Council will contribute $100,000 to the project and the club has also secured $40,000 in funding through Cricket Victoria.
The nets will be located between Polwarth and Grenville Ovals at Banyul Warri Fields, near Djila Tjarri skate park.
It will feature four synthetic pitches, fully enclosed and divided by wire mesh fencing, with a space for wicket-keeping practice, and a power source for a bowling machine.
The Suns are the only club in the Barwon region without net training facilities.
“Importantly this facility will help propel the growth of our four senior men’s teams and our newly-established junior and women’s programs by providing them with the dedicated, high-quality training space they deserve to develop skills, confidence and connection to the game,” Surf Coast Cricket Club president Ben Tekin said.
“Beyond our club, this is about the broader community. These nets will be open and accessible to the public, local schools and other sporting groups.”
Councillor Liz Pattison thanked the Victorian government and Cricket Victoria for their contributions and support and acknowledged the Surf Coast club’s dedicated campaign to secure the training facilities.
“We are delighted to be moving ahead with this project and look forward to the benefits for cricketing and community generations to come,” Cr Pattison said.