Festival ahead of Big Bash a big hit

THE Festival of Sport made an energetic and popular return to Kardinia Park on Friday last week, with thousands trying out the many activities on offer.

Held just before the Melbourne Renegades’ Big Bash League (BBL) game at GMHBA Stadium, the festival – back after a two-year COVID-enforced break – saw about 4,000 people take part in 20 interactive sporting experiences and displays on West Kardinia Oval, including Australian Rules, cricket, rugby, netball, tennis, disc golf and Japanese drumming.

“It was a really hard one to set an expectation for [in terms of crowd size], because we’ve never done it attached to a cricket game,” Kardinia Park Stadium Trust chief executive officer Gerard Griffin said.

“This was our fourth Festival of Sport, and they’ve all been on different days, times, weeks and parts of the year.

“We didn’t set a number, but we’re blown away by the attendance out there – and it was comfortable, it wasn’t over-crowded.”

He said the Renegades suggested the second of its two Geelong games as ideal.

“They thought this was the better week to put it with, with everyone getting through the Christmas hurdle, and getting that week where people are starting to relax and look for things to do, which has turned out to be exactly the right call.

“It’s flowed nicely – 3pm to 6.30pm has flowed nicely into the game. So we’re thrilled, and I think we’ve found a format we can go on with.”

Mr Griffin said the more than 12,000 people in attendance at the game was the Renegades’ biggest home crowd for this BBL season.

Coming events at GMHBA Stadium include a Melbourne Storm practice match on February 12, and the Geelong Cats’ first home game of the 2023 AFL season on April 22.