Club celebrates new nets

NEWLY upgraded cricket nets at Grinter Reserve are set to officially open this Sunday in a massive pre-season boost for Newcomb and District Cricket Club.

The nets will support the Dinos in their quest to build on their recent growth and drive participation, particularly in junior and women’s cricket.

The club will field its first female side this summer and these new nets will allow all its teams to train at one place.

The upgrade includes both synthetic and turf pitches, making the nets suitable for training at all levels from junior through to the Dinos’ first XI.

As a Brownbill Ward councillor, it is thrilling to witness the completion of this $807,000 project, which is yet another example of all three levels of government working together to meet the needs of our community.

The Federal Government funded $680,000 of the project, while the Victorian Government and Council contributed $100,000 and $27,430 respectively.

And another much-needed joint project is set to get under way in East Geelong in coming months.

Construction is scheduled to begin on a second netball court at Richmond Oval in October following the inclusion of the $650,000 project in Council’s 2024-25 budget in June.

This follows more than a dozen submissions from the community for the project in response to Council’s draft budget in April, and I applaud East Geelong Football and Netball Club for its advocacy.

These works will take place alongside planned improvements to the reserve’s existing netball court, which will enhance safety and ensure compliance.

These improvements include new lighting and behind-goal netting at the eastern end of the oval to prevent footballs hitting netballers and spectators, along with new goalposts and players’ and officials’ benches.

The Victorian Government funded these works following a $250,000 election commitment from Geelong MP Christine Couzens.

These projects provide a significant boost for East Geelong FNC, supporting the growth of its netball program by increasing its capacity to hold training sessions and host games.

Also in the Brownbill Ward, works are progressing on the athletics track at Landy Field.

Workers removed the old asphalt beneath the track and laid new asphalt in August.

Specialist contractors plan to begin laying the final rubber surface once the asphalt has cured in September, pending favourable weather conditions.

The $1.5 million project, funded by Council, also includes relocating the hammer throw and discus cage to allow more events to run simultaneously.

And even bigger things are planned for Landy Field, with construction on a new two-storey pavilion, a new grandstand and other improvements anticipated to start in mid to late 2025.

Council and the Victorian Government each contributed $5 million to the redevelopment, which will provide a fantastic boost for athletics clubs across Geelong.

Sport and athletics are fantastic for our community’s fitness and wellbeing and keep people socially connected.

This in turn provides preventative health benefits that ease the pressure on our health system and help people live happier, healthier and longer lives.

This is why Council – with help from state and federal governments – is focused on improving our sporting and athletics facilities across Greater Geelong.

Cr Melissa Cadwell

Brownbill Ward,

City of Greater Geelong