Bright future ahead for Geelong and Barwon cricket

The new strategy was formed in consultation with the local associations, the Victorian Country Cricket League (VCCL), Premier Cricket, local associations, clubs and schools.

The Strategy focuses on on-field priorities in facilities and infrastructure as well as off-field goals in sport development, increasing participation levels, policy and planning, partnerships and the overarching governance and management of cricket across the Region.

The five strategic priorities are:

• Develop an aligned and collaborative structure to manage cricket
• Grow cricket, its range of activities, club capacity and profile across the Barwon region
• Maximise capacity and activation of existing sites and align new facilities with future demand
• Deliver a Regional Cricket and Community Centre at Kardinia Park
• Secure resourcing and local partnership support

Cricket Victoria General Manager Community Cricket and Key Stakeholders John Watkin said it was an important stage in the project.

“This has been a long-term project in what is an important growth corridor for cricket in Victoria. The game is well supported in Geelong and across the entire Barwon region and we need to ensure that we have plans in place to see cricket continue to flourish,” Watkin said.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to this point. We have a responsibility to both cater for the current and emerging needs of the game but also to set cricket in this region on the right course for success in the long-term.”

To guide the strategy, a new Barwon Advisory Committee has also been established. The committee will be chaired by Cricket Victoria Director Theresa Best and include representatives from local associations, the VCCL, Geelong Cricket Club, Cricket Victoria and other local stakeholders.