Cricketers Dave Sheahan, Brett Alexander and Steve Chapman gear up for a oneday match on Australia Day to help raise funds for the Lynbrook Junior Cricket Club.By Rebecca Fraser
THE Hallam Kalora Park Cricket Club (HKP) has gone in to bat for a junior sports club, which had $3000 worth of equipment stolen just days before Christmas.
HKP will host a oneday charity match on Australia Day at Hallam’s Frawley Road Reserve, with all funds raised going to Lynbrook Junior Cricket Club (LJCC).
It will be the second year that the HKP will host the charity event, which last year raised $500 for the Asian tsunami appeal.
HKP treasurer Brett Alexander said players from Dandenong, the District Cricket Association and the West Gippsland Cricket Association would play against a visiting team from England.
The LJCClub will use the donations to purchase new sporting equipment after their sports pavilion at Banjo Patterson Reserve was burgled between 22 and 23 December.
All the under 11 and under 13 cricket gear, including bats, balls, pads and gloves, was taken, as well as 1000 cans of soft drinks, 200 sausages, Tshirts and stubby holders that were set aside for future fundraisers. The club’s sound system also has to be replaced.
LJCC president Steve McPhail said he was absolutely rapt with the support from local sporting clubs.
“We are so heartened by all of the support from the community,” Mr McPhail said.
He also thanked all the junior sporting clubs who had lent them equipment following the thefts, and McDonald’s in Lynbrook, Cranbourne and Hampton Park for donating new equipment.
Mr McPhail said the club would use the money raised on Australia Day to further establish the club, because it hoped to expand the junior teams next year.
Mr Alexander said the match would start at 1pm, with each team facing 40 overs. Entry will be via gold coin donation and the Narre Warren Photocopy Centre has donated match records for all spectators. The day will also include tea break competitions with longest hit and most accurate bowler contests, and giveaways from Willow Wizard cricket wear.
Casey Sports has printed shirts for the event and there will be a barbecue and canteen facilities.
“Last year it was stinking hot and about 400 or 500 people came,” Mr Alexander said. “I hope the weather is kinder this year and we get 500 people or more.”
Other major sponsors include the Hallam Taverner Hotel and Steve Chapman Coaching.
