Stingrays launch nets fundraiser, announce name/colours change

A LOCAL cricket club in Torquay North is asking the community for financial assistance to install a multi-use net facility at Banyul Warri Fields.

Surfcoast Stingrays Cricket Club is embarking on a fundraising drive to raise $40,000, which it can use as leverage funding alongside state government and Cricket Victoria sports infrastructure funds.

“Surf Coast Shire funding has not yet been allocated to meet the needs of the multi-use facility project, that have been estimated at in excess of $600,000 inclusive of contingencies,” the club’s GoFundMe page states.

“Build requirements of the facility have been tightly assigned by the Surfcoast Shire to offer the best facilities available to the community, which understandably has unfortunately made this a difficult feat amidst the current economic climate.”

The Stingrays now train on Banyul Warri Fields’ Polwarth and Grenville Ovals but have to roll out a steel fabricated net for practice.

Club committee member Tim “Goodsey” Eden says the existing netting can only be used in optimal weather conditions, as using it at any other time ran the risk of damaging the wicket.

“Meeting at the ground for training then having to shift over to either Sovereign Drive in Mount Duneed or at Nimble Hits or the Geelong indoor Sports Centre – both of which have proper practice facilities is not ideal for us as a club.

“We’re seeing a growing demand for more juniors and women taking on the sport, and we as a club have long-term plans to introduce new sides to the club.

“To do that we need the proper facilities – a multi-use net would help put the club on the right track with that.”

Among the bigger changes heading into the 2024-25 season, new president Ben Tekin revealed to the Surf Coast Times that the club will undergo a transformation of its colours and name to align with the Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club.

“Next season we will be fielding three senior men’s teams, with the very likely addition of a senior women’s team, which we are now recruiting for,” Mr Tekin said.

“To ensure the club is moving forward as a connected, inclusive Surf Coast family, we will be joining forces with the Surfcoast Football Netball Club, aligning our name and colours with the Suns in season 2024/25.

“We are very confident it will birth a number of opportunities for us. In 2025, the Suns Football Netball Club will be starting senior club life, to add to its current Under 19 football and Under 19 netball teams.”

To find out more about the club’s fundraiser, click HERE.