New regional cricket hub opens

THE Barwon Regional Cricket Centre is officially open, offering a world-class indoor cricket hub for the wider region’s clubs and communities to use all year round.

Part of stage five of the Kardinia Park Stadium redevelopment, the centre includes five indoor lanes kitted out with Professional Bowling (BOLA) machines and Fulltrack AI tech.

The Fulltrack AI allows players to record their sessions, review their bowling and batting techniques, and share data with their friends.

Batters using the BOLA machines can face deliveries at speeds from 24kmh to 152kmh with options for spin, swing, and pace, or random variations.

Located in the new Djilang Plaza outside Gate 1 of GMHBA stadium, the centre also includes indoor changerooms, a meeting room and a reception area.

The Barwon Regional Cricket Centre opened on Monday this week and will be managed by Belgravia Leisure, Australia’s largest leisure management company which specialise in the management of more than 230 leisure and sports facilities across Australia and New Zealand.

Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos MP said the Barwon Regional Cricket Centre would be another exciting addition to the Kardinia Park precinct.

“The redevelopment wasn’t just about ensuring Kardinia Park remains Australia’s premier regional sports and entertainment venue, it was about revitalising the entire precinct for the Geelong community.

“The centre will be a boon for local cricket across the Barwon Region, providing an elite facility for cricketers to enjoy the sport they love.”

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust chief executive officer Gerard Griffin welcomed the opening.

“To have an asset of this calibre in Kardinia Park supporting pathways from grassroots through to the elite level, shows the strength of cricket in this region,” he said.

“We are thrilled to have the Barwon Regional Cricket Centre at our stadium front door.”

Cricket Victoria chief executive officer Nick Cummins said his organisation was proud to partner with the Victorian government, the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust and Cricket Australia to deliver the facility.

“As the fifth regional cricket hub to be built in Victoria, the Barwon Regional Cricket Centre will strengthen the region’s love for cricket.”

Centre manager Paul Christie says that Belgravia Leisure was keen to deliver top-notch cricket activities to everyone in the community.

“The new Barwon Regional Cricket Centre, or BRCC, is a stellar investment for everyone.

“As an indoor venue with a raft of programs on the horizon, BRCC offers newbies a chance to learn the ropes and gives seasoned players a spot to sharpen their skills all year, no matter the weather.”

Over its first week of operation, the Barwon Regional Cricket Centre will be open for walk-ins on the following days and times, but bookings are preferred to avoid disappointment.