LOCAL cricket clubs will soon receive their annual injection of turf wicket funding, after the City of Greater Geelong renewed its Wicket Maintenance and Development Agreement with the Geelong Cricket Association (GCA) until 2021.<\/p>\n
The new agreement will see the GCA receive $251,361 (plus Consumer Price Index adjustments) each year for the next three years, with an option to extend for a further three years until 2024.<\/p>\n
The GCA will then distribute this funding to each of its clubs on council-controlled land. It will be used to maintain turf wickets, train curators, replace synthetic wickets, purchase equipment and provide junior development programs.<\/p>\n
This season\u2019s funds will be paid in two instalments, with the first expected to be processed by Sunday December 9, and the second during January. Future payments will be made in August and January.<\/p>\n
Of the 34 GCA member clubs, 28 are within the City of Greater Geelong.<\/p>\n
The funding arrangement, which passes control of turf wicket maintenance and development from the council to the GCA, has been in place since 2006.<\/p>\n
It does not include Kardinia Park wickets used by Geelong Cricket Club (playing in Victorian Premier Cricket), or synthetic wickets used by clubs in the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur local clubs rely on this funding to help them maintain and develop their turf wickets to a high standard \u2013 something they take great pride in doing,\u201d Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs well as covering essential costs the funding also allows clubs to invest in junior development programs and curator training, which helps them grow and improve.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that the agreement has been renewed, this season\u2019s first payment will be authorised by the CEO and sent to the GCA as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LOCAL cricket clubs will soon receive their annual injection of turf wicket funding, after the City of Greater Geelong renewed its Wicket Maintenance and Development Agreement with the Geelong Cricket Association (GCA) until 2021. The new agreement will see the GCA receive $251,361 (plus Consumer Price Index adjustments) each year for the next three years, […]<\/p>\n