Sporting capital!

By Sarah Schwager
CRANBOURNE has been touted as the sporting capital of the south east after thousands flocked to the suburb over the weekend.
The comment came from Casey mayor Colin Butler who was blown away by the amount of people who attended sporting events on Saturday and Sunday.
A crowd estimated by the City of Casey as up to 10,000 flocked to Casey Fields on Saturday for the AFL NAB Challenge Match between Essendon and Hawthorn, despite various transport and parking issues.
Sunday was also a successful day, with 4000 attending Tricodes Race Day at the Cranbourne Racecourse, showcasing gallops, harness and greyhounds on the one race card.
Other events included the Mornington Peninsula Tennis Association senior finals, two Dandenong District Cricket Association grand finals as well as the Premier Cricket crossover match between Casey-South Melbourne Cricket Club and Melbourne University also held at Casey Fields.
“The weekend was magnificent. It really showcased Cranbourne and what we’ve got to offer,” Cr Butler said.
He said the success of Cranbourne’s facilities opened up the opportunity for other major sporting events in the area and at Casey Fields, such as an actual AFL NAB match.
“This shows a lot of foresight by council to build this fantastic sporting facility,” he said.
Cr Butler said the sporting events meant millions of dollars for the local economy as well as a great outlet for local athletes wanting to move up to higher playing levels.
Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce president Derek West said the suburb’s sporting successes reopened the debate for improved transport options in Cranbourne.
“A major concern is parking and transport options or the lack of,” he said.
Mr West reignited calls for a Cranbourne bypass, as well as a train station at Casey Fields.
He hoped the State Government would take the popularity of the events into consideration when looking into more viable public transport and road options for Cranbourne.
“We certainly need (a bypass and train station) with the growing infrastructure in that location (Cranbourne East),” Mr West said.
“There’s the retirement village, the aquatic centre being built and the sports centre. That area is crying out for a train station.”
The Tricodes on Sunday also established the Cranbourne racecourse as one of the frontrunners in racing events.
Cranbourne Turf Club chief executive Neil Bainbridge said the event had a bright future.
“The growth in this meeting and its popularity among racegoers continues to increase and the support it gets from the shire is outstanding,” he said. “We had 23 races in five hours and there was no better place to be on a Sunday.”
Victorian Minister for Racing Rob Hulls was also impressed at the quality of the event.
“This is the sort of action that people want and will come to see. Tricodes is now a permanent fixture on the racing calendar and Cranbourne is a leader in promoting the sport of racing across all the codes,” he told the crowd.