By Shelby Brooks
Two Pakenham sporting clubs have been targeted by vandals over the weekend, with both clubs expected to lose hundreds of dollars in damages.
The Pakenham Cricket Club’s nets and Pakenham Junior Football Club scoreboard facility room were broken into and defaced, with both presidents calling it a blow to community sport.
“It’s not great for us,” Pakenham Cricket Club president Phil Anning told the Gazette.
“And the Pakenham Junior Football Club’s scoreboard has been broken into again in the same period of time [as the nets] which is disappointing and frustrating for everyone connected with the Junior Football Club.”
Phil explained that with the current Covid-19 restrictions in place, cricket nets were closed like playgrounds and basketball courts.
“We received instruction from the Cardinia Shire Council, State Government and Cricket Victoria advising us the nets couldn’t be used,” Phil said.
“So we said we would lock them up and bought eight padlocks and chains last Sunday.”
However a week later on the morning of Sunday 29 August, Phil discovered all the chains and padlocks had been cut off and taken away, with part of the fence also cut and the black matting which protects the balls ripped off.
Rubbish had also been strewn everywhere.
“Whether it’s been some kids or an adult with kids frustrated they can’t use the nets and just snapped. But over the years we have tried to do the right thing to have the nets open for people to come and use,” Phil said.
“The club, with financial support from both the Cardinia Council and Cricket Victoria, have spent over $50,000 over the years to improve and maintain these facilities for not only for the use of the players of the Pakenham Cricket Club but also for the wider community.
“Unfortunately, it is a situation where the minority spoil it for the majority. When the restrictions are lifted we, in conjunction with the council, will be making a decision as to whether the nets will be permanently closed to the public and only used for the use of Pakenham Cricket Club members.”
Phil estimates the cost to repair the fence and matting and the replacement of the locks and chains will cost around $500.
“We are no different from any other sporting organisation in the community right now,” Phil said.
“We’re finding it tough at the moment with sponsors so it’s a cost we don’t want to have to spend.”
Pakenham Junior Football Club’s scoreboard room was also broken into over the weekend, with the unknown offenders kicking in the door and damaging the inside walls, president Salv Mileto said.
“It’s the fourth time in six months,” he said.
“The first two times they pried the door open and took some footballs and other equipment we had stored there. The third time they kicked the door in, causing big damage. But this fourth time is the most substantial amount of damage- we’ll have to replace the majority of the walls.”
Salv said in the end, it was the junior players who suffered the most.
“Overall it’s a cost to the club and the kids,” he said.
“We don’t want to but we’ll have to find the funds to pay for it all while dealing with this Covid situation.”
The vandals had also graffitied the building, writing, “where are the f****** keys?” on the door.
“You have got to find the humour in that,” Salv said.
Both presidents think security lights and cameras will need to be invested in to prevent and deter further damage.
Salv said he had reported the incident to the police who had been very supportive to the club.
