Linton cricket nets under construction

KIRK McDonald remembers bowling and batting in the Linton Cricket Club nets as a kid.

Decades on, now the club’s president and junior coordinator, he said the old nets at the Linton Recreation Reserve haven’t seen an upgrade since before he was born, but that’s about to change.

Work began on site last week to build new, safer three-bay cricket nets worth just over $200,000 that the whole community can enjoy, replacing the old cages which are full of holes.

“This ensures the continuation of cricket in the town. It’s something we can spruik to get more juniors, and seniors, to the club as well,” Mr McDonald said.

“In the last two-and-a-half years, it’s got to the point where the current nets are quite dangerous.

“Some of our young players have moved from under-12s into the under-16 age group, where they play with a leather cricket ball, and we don’t want them getting hurt and stepping away from the game.”

Eleven young people are part of the under-16 squad, and 13 were part of the club’s skills-based program last year.

The State Government contributed $100,000 from the 2019-2020 Community Cricket Program – Community Facilities Fund, while the Golden Plains Shire have put in $72,500, and a further $30,000 coming from the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Helena Kirby said cricket is a popular activity in the area and new facilities are needed to ensure everyone that wants to play can get involved and enjoy.

“It’s a growing sport, and hopefully it means the inclusion of more girls in the future,” she said.

Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle said the upgrade will support healthy, active lifestyles, and team sport normality, as the community emerges from COVID-19 restrictions.

“I’m really pleased to see the works begin in time for the cricket season. It’s about getting people back out and about,” she said.

“After lockdown, the first time I felt like life was normal was walking past a cricket pitch and seeing a game of community cricket.

“I hope that having these wonderful nets will be one of those moments. It’s a great collaboration between the State Government and the Golden Plains Shire.”