New facilities boost Saints’ training

THE St Leonards Cricket Club is celebrating the completion of a $450,000 upgrade to the practice facilities at its home ground at the St Leonards Lake Reserve.

The new cricket nets, which feature three synthetic lanes built to modern standards, were officially opened last month by Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan and Bellarine MP Alison Marchant.

They were joined by Bellarine Ward councillors Elise Wilkinson and Jim Mason, and members of the St Leonards Cricker Club, including vice-president Gary Egan and secretary Jaymie Crook.

The upgrades were jointly funded by the City of Greater Geelong and the Victorian government, with the city contributing $350,000 to the initiative and the state contributing $100,000.

Cr Sullivan said the new nets would provide the St Leonards Cricket Club’s men’s teams with a better place to train and help the club to expand its junior and women’s cricket programs.

“The Saints have done a great job supporting junior cricket and establishing two women’s teams, but there’s no doubt the old training facilities at this reserve were a barrier.”

“The new nets are safer and will be much more appealing for anyone looking to get involved in the club.

“We were pleased to partner with the Victorian government in this project and we’re rapt for the Saints’ committee, which has put a lot of effort into seeing the new nets become a reality.”

Bellarine MP Alison Marchant celebrated the opening of the new facilities, just in time for the new cricket season.

“The summer of cricket is just around the corner, but the love of the game never stops, that’s why we’re making sure more people can practice all year round here at St Leonards Lake Reserve,” she said.

“This dedicated training space is a big win for the community providing an area where fans of the game can hone their batting and bowling skills close to home.

“It’s all about providing Victorians access to high quality facilities, enabling them to enjoy all the benefits of leading a healthy and active lifestyle.”