By Jonty Ralphsmith
The Casey Fields premier cricket facility is receiving an upgrade as part of a state-wide program between Cricket Victoria and state and local governments.
The program will provide designated cricket centres in each region to assist in the development of cricket.
The upgrade will benefit cricket in the municipality – especially women’s cricket – by creating a performance pathway and increasing Cricket Victoria’s input.
“The facility will help strengthen pathways from community cricket to Victorian Premier Cricket and give local players access to a high standard facility in the region, eliminating the need for travel to other regions,” said Angie Peresso, Manager Active Communities.
“The upgrade of facilities will also allow for elite level cricket to be played at the facility, such as WBBL matches.”
Construction is expected to start in April, for completion in late 2022, dependent on weather and construction materials supply.
“The facility will be invaluable in enabling Casey South Melbourne Cricket Club to work with Cricket Victoria and the City of Casey to develop women’s and men’s cricket in Casey and the Melbourne southern metro region,” Ms Peresso added.
A sense of nostalgia swept the club upon finding out the news.
Ross Gibbins, a long time administrator who brought the South Melbourne Cricket Club to Casey passed away after a long battle with cancer shortly before the club found about about the impending upgrade.
Mr Gibbins “enabled the club to survive” during some difficult years financially, and it was his dream to see the Linsay Hassett Pavilion rejuvenated, according to club president Shaun Petrie.
“He was a huge part of the success of the club and instigated the move,” Mr Petrie said of Ross.
“It was a year-by-year proposition to keep the club going and Ross and the committee were able to keep it viable.”
Mr Petrie added that the modernisation would be much-needed as the current clubrooms were undersized and didn’t have sufficient amenities to support the female cricket pathway.
“It will basically be the crowning jewel of what’s already a pretty amazing facility with two beautiful turf grounds,” Mr Petrie said.
The club is currently in a sound position culturally and financially stable and the upgrade will offer a social space where they will be able to hold functions, saving the cost and burden of staging events elsewhere.
“The new space is for the community and we’ve got a very multicultural, diverse community here in Cranbourne and that space upstairs will be great for meetings and seminars and social functions.”
The club wished to thank Cricket Australia, Cricket Victoria, Casey City Council, Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan and Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards.
