South Barwon Cricket Club new training facilities accommodate growth of female cricket programs

Women’s cricket has exploded in Greater Geelong, and Council felt it critical to have the facilities to accommodate the extraordinary growth that the sport is experiencing.

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 via 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.

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.

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.

Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan notes “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.”

Image: South Barwon Cricket Nets. Back row, (from left): Jack Hauenstein, President Simon Breuer, Mayor Trent Sullivan, Member for Geelong Christine Couzens and Councillor Ron Nelson. Front row, (from left): Emily Caldow, Felicity Hauenstein, Alexis Hauenstein and Ella Hauenstein. Credit: City of Greater Geelong