Shire sets up for a good innings

New forms of the game have spurred a revival of interest and participation in cricket.

With this in mind, Eurobodalla Council is pitching in with Cricket NSW and local schools and clubs to develop a strategy to grow the sport, with representatives meeting on Monday 25 March.

Council’s recreation coordinator Matt Neason said Eurobodalla’s clubs and schools were at the heart of the strategy, which will focus on participation, facilities, and developing players, coaches and officials.

“Monday night was an opportunity to bring key players together. We had three representatives from Cricket NSW meet with our stakeholders, which included the Batemans Bay, Tuross Head and Southern Eurobodalla cricket clubs,” he said.

Mr Neason said new forms of the game had led to a resurgence of interest in cricket on national and international fields.

“The Big Bash League and Women's Big Bash League have a strong following. Women's participation in the sport is growing and Australia is set to host the T20 World Cup in October 2020,” he said.

“This is flowing down to club-level sport, with Friday-night ‘cricket blast’ competitions and women’s-social events on the increase across the shire.”

Mr Neason said the current environment presented opportunities, with “Cricket Australia looking to fund regional infrastructure in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup”.

“Council’s role is to help unify our clubs and schools with Cricket NSW to ensure Eurobodalla is best placed to capitalise on future grants as they become available,” he said.

“In driving this process, we’ve received positive feedback from both Cricket NSW and local clubs wanting to get cricket in the shire on the front foot.”

To get involved contact Council’s recreation coordinator Matt Neason on 4474 7438.