Geelong to host senior cricket comp

Geelong overs 60s cricketer Chris Carr in action for Australia in 2017.

More than 1000 veteran cricketers from across Australia and New Zealand will descend on Geelong in November 2022 for the Over 60s National Cricket Championships.

Geelong Cricket Association president Rob Vines on Tuesday announced a joint local bid had won the right to host the event from November 27 to December 1, 2022.

“With over 1000 visitors involved in the Over 60s National Cricket Championships, we are confident that it will give a boost to the Barwon region economy,” he said.

The Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula and Colac and District cricket associations, Geelong Cricket Club and Geelong Veterans Cricket Club, known previously Geelong Seniors Cricket Club, joined forces to secure the event.

Their submission was successful ahead of other strong bids from regional Victoria, according to Vines.

“Our strong consortium bid was underpinned by the commitment of clubs across the Barwon region to prepare grounds and make facilities available for the duration of the championships, and the organising committee is grateful for their enthusiastic response,” he said.

“The success of our bid is also testament to the strong collegiate relationship between the various cricket bodies across the Barwon region.

“The joint bid committee is also grateful for the ongoing support received from the City of Greater Geelong through Geelong Major Events. “

The championships will draw veteran cricket players, umpires, organisers and supporters from across Australia for five days of “cricket and camaraderie”, according to organisers.

The Barwon region organising committee will soon commence work with Veterans Cricket Victoria to plan logistics for the major event.