Kardinia Park will once again host its Festival of Sport after a two-year break when the celebration of sport returns on December 30.
The event will feature over 20 interactive sporting experiences and displays, giving festival goers the opportunity to try out disc golf, ninja skills, Japanese drumming and weightlifting as well as Aussie sporting staples such as football, cricket, netball and tennis.
The festival coincides with the Melbourne Renegades’ second of two matches the Big Bash League team will play in Geelong, with the Renegades taking on the Sydney Sixers that evening.
Renegades captain Aaron Finch was joined by fellow players Will Sutherland and Jake Fraser-McGurk at Kardinia Park this week to promote the festival and BBL matches.
Finch said he and his teammates were excited to play in Geelong this season.
“Here at Geelong, it’s a brilliant atmosphere to play in,” he said.
“On the 30th it combines with the Festival Sport here at Kardinia Park as well. That’s huge for the community, having not had that for three years; it’s going to be an unbelievable atmosphere.
“The Big Bash is a phenomenal tournament and we get some of the best players in the world. Throw that in with world-class domestic players plus great, talented youngsters… It’s a tournament that everyone loves playing in.”
After disappointing results the past few years, Finch said there was an air of optimism around the team this season after the recruitment of a number of players including Andre Russell, Martin Guptill, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and, just this week, Peter Handscomb.
“I think the addition of experienced and world-class players is crucial,” Finch said.
“Taking Liam Livingstone at number one in the draft hasn’t panned out, with his test commitments and a bit of a niggle as well, but to have Andre Russell and Martin Guptill as replacements for him is unbelievable.
“Akeal Hosein, Mujeeb, they’re phenomenal T20 players. To add that into some really talented youngsters gives us a lot of confidence this year.”
