Players from the Preston Druids Cricket Club and Darebin Women’s Sports Club can look forward to more runs on the board, thanks to the redevelopment of their local cricket training facility, backed by the Victorian Government.

Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous today joined Darebin City Council Mayor Cr Julie Williams and local sports club members to officially open the new training facility at the WH Robinson Reserve, made possible by a $100,000 investment from the Government’s Community Cricket Program.

Works at the reserve have replaced the previous cricket wickets, which were no longer suitable for use by the clubs and the wider community.

In its place is a new 3-wicket cricket training facility, complete with retractable soft netting which creates a flexible training space for other sports and activities and enables the more than 215-strong Druids and Falcons to train alongside the wider community.

The redevelopment also includes a new secure storage space and means the clubs will be able to use the new facility to drive further growth of its programs and get even more locals into cricket.

When not being used by the Druids or Falcons, the new publicly accessible facility will serve as the perfect place for Preston locals to enjoy a casual hit of cricket with friends and family, further reinforcing W H Robinson Reserve as a local sport and recreation hub.

The Victorian Budget 2023/24 is providing more than $213 million to deliver new and improve community sports infrastructure and support initiatives that boost participation and inclusion in local sports clubs and organisations.

This brings the Victorian Government’s investment into community sport and active recreation infrastructure to more than $1.9 billion since 2014.

Investments like these are all about supporting the development of strong, active and healthy communities through high quality, accessible, well-designed local infrastructure.

Ms Theophanous acknowledged Darebin City Council for its commitment to delivering the project and $230,000 contribution, as well as the Druids and Falcons for their contributions of $5,000 and $2,500 respectively.

For more information about sport infrastructure grant opportunities available, visit sport.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous

“As summer approaches, we’re making sure more people can get onto the cricket pitch and find a welcoming home and sports hub here at WH Robinson Reserve.”

“The brand-new cricket training facility is a big win for the community and offers more opportunity for the Druids and Falcons to hone their skills at the wicket.”

“It’s all about providing Victorians will access to high quality facilities, enabling them to enjoy all the benefits of leading a healthy and active lifestyle.”