Net upgrade complete at Manifold Heights

MANIFOLD Heights Cricket Club will get a few weeks to fully enjoy its upgraded cricket nets before season’s end, but the club is grinning from ear to ear following the official opening of its latest project.

City of Greater Geelong councillors Eddy Kontelj and Peter Murrihy officially opened the club’s new cricket nets on February 15 with players and club representatives already making full use of their new resource.

The nets upgrade were part of the club’s City of Greater Geelong’s 2021-22 Community Infrastructure Grants project, totalling $343,600 approved at the start of 2022.

The new nets were redeveloped with six new turf nets and four hard wicket nets as part of the ground’s upgrades, an increase to 10 runups from its original six.

In a statement, the club said the project is a sign the Sharks are going onwards and upwards.

“A massive thank you goes out to Cr Kontelj for his guidance and effort along with current and especially previous committees, led by Damian Stephens, Maryanne Parker, and John Altimari,” the statement said.

“We would also like to thank the Geelong Cricket Association, Clonard College Geelong for their kind recommendations and lastly the City of Greater Geelong project team for ensuring an excellent transition and project experience.”

The club told this newspaper in 2022 the upgrade would help bring a sense of pride back into the club’s facilities and may facilitate a return of the club’s women’s side in the coming seasons.

Manifold Heights, one of the founding clubs of the Barwon Women’s Cricket Competition’s inaugural 2019/20 season, had a women’s side from 2019 to 2021.

Cr Kontelj opened both Manifold Heights’ and North Geelong’s new net upgrades last month on the same night, praising both clubs’ patience.

“It’s been a long time coming, but it was a real thrill and moment of pride to finally officially open the new turf and hard wicket training nets at both North Geelong Cricket Club and also the Manifold Heights Cricket Club,” he said.

“I really applaud both clubs for their vision, tenacity and patience.”

Manifold Heights Cricket Club fielded four GCA3 senior sides, two Under 11 teams, and an Under 13 squad in 2023/24.